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Topics: Art

Pierre Bonnard - Under the Tree (1915). Christies, New York.

Exhibition ‘Bonnard and the Nordic Countries’ Opening at Nationalmuseum on 20 February

Pierre Bonnard was one of the twentieth century’s most influential artists. In iridescent images, the Frenchman captured the world around him: his home, family, garden, bustling streets, and the view on the ocean from his window. In recent years, crowds around the world have flocked to exhibitions of Bonnard’s paintings. Nationalmuseum’s exhibition is the first one in Sweden in more than seven dec

 Pierre Bonnard, Stairs in the Artist's Garden, 1942/44. Photo: National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Exhibitions at Nationalmuseum 2025

This coming year, Nationalmuseum will continue to deepen visitors’ understanding of popular artists in its collections, collaborate with other Nordic and European museums, and feature contemporary artists in its temporary exhibitions.

Carl Fredrik von Breda, The Actor Saint-Ange, 1785. Photo: Cecilia Heisser/Nationalmuseum

Nationalmuseum acquires important actor portrait by artist Carl Fredrik von Breda

Nationalmuseum has acquired a portrait by Carl Fredrik von Breda of the actor Saint-Ange. It is one of a suite of role portraits depicting members of King Gustav III’s French theatre troupe led by the legendary Jacques Marie Boutet, known as Monvel. Besides being a superb example of Gustavian art, the portrait shows the young von Breda’s skill as a portrait painter in his own right.

Martinus Rørbye, Loggia on Procida, 1835

Nationalmuseum acquires two Italian scenes by Martinus Rørbye and Constantin Hansen

Nationalmuseum has acquired two Italian scenes by Danish golden age artists: Loggia on Procida by Martinus Rørbye (1835) and The Temple of Minerva at the Forum Nervae by Constantin Hansen (circa 1840). Each piece in its way represents some of the finest work produced by north European artists on their travels to the south.

Louis Gurlitt, Marina Piccola, Capri, 1844

New acquisition: Three works by German-Danish artist Louis Gurlitt

Nationalmuseum has acquired three works by the German-Danish artist Louis Gurlitt (1812–97), which between them illustrate different aspects of the artist’s diverse oeuvre. Gurlitt studied in Copenhagen and early in his career was considered a promising figure in Danish painting.

Welcome to Nationalmuseum Sweden!

Nationalmuseum is Sweden’s museum of art and design, located in the heart of Stockholm. The collections include paintings, sculptures, drawings and graphic art from the 16th century up to the beginning of the 20th century, and applied art and design up to the present day. Nationalmuseum owns about 700,000 objects.

The emphasis of the collection of paintings is on Swedish 18th and 19th century painting. Dutch painting from the 17th century is also well represented, and the French 18th century collection is regarded as one of the best in the world. The works are made by artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Goya, Boucher, Watteau, Renoir and Degas as well as Swedish artists such as Anders Zorn, Carl Larsson, Ernst Josephson and Carl Fredrik Hill.

The collection of applied art and design consists of objects such as ceramics, textiles, glass and precious and non-precious metals as well as furniture and books etc. The collection of prints and drawings comprises works by Rembrandt, Watteau, Manet, Sergel, Carl Larsson, Carl Fredrik Hill and Ernst Josephson. Central are the 2,000 master drawings that Carl Gustaf Tessin acquired during his tour of duty as Sweden's ambassador to France in the 18th century.

Art and objects from Nationalmuseum’s collections can also be seen at several royal palaces such as Gripsholm, Drottningholm, Strömsholm, Rosersberg and Ulriksdal as well as in the Swedish Institute in Paris. The museum administers the Swedish National Portrait Gallery at Gripsholm Castle, the world’s oldest national portrait gallery and the Gustavsberg collection with approximately 45,000 objects manufactured at the Gustavsberg Porcelain Factory. Nationalmuseum also curates exhibitions at Nationalmuseum Jamtli and the Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum.

Nationalmuseum is a government authority with a mandate to preserve cultural heritage and promote art, interest in art and knowledge of art and that falls within the remit of the Swedish Ministry of Culture.