Nationalmuseum loans works to Swedish Ecstasy exhibition in Brussels

On 17 February the exhibition Swedish Ecstasy opens at Bozar in Brussels, showcasing works by Swedish artists inspired by mysticism and spirituality. As partner in the project, Nationalmuseum is providing 40 works by Carl Fredrik Hill, Ernst Josephson and August Strindberg on loan. These include The Water Spriteby Josephson, Wonderland by Strindberg and Apple Tree in Blossom by Hill. The paintings will be on show alongside other paintings by Hilma af Klint in the historical section of the exhibition, which also features works by contemporary artists such as Cecilia Edefalk, Christine Ödlund, Carsten Höller, Lars Olof Loeld and Daniel Youssef.

“This exhibition is produced in connection with Sweden’s EU presidency, and the idea is to present a somewhat unexpected side of Sweden, which is often seen as a country that embodies pragmatic and rational attitudes. August Strindberg’s mysticism and Hilma af Klint’s spiritual universe tell a different story,” said Per Hedström, director of exhibitions at Nationalmuseum.

Swedish Ecstasy is on show at Bozar, Centre for Fine Arts, in Brussels from 17 February to 21 May 2023. The exhibition is curated by Daniel Birnbaum in collaboration with Ann Flas from Bozar.

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Hanna Tottmar, head of press: press@nationalmuseum.se, +46 8 5195 4400

Nationalmuseum is Sweden’s museum of art and design. The collections comprise some 700 000 objects, including paintings, sculpture, drawings and graphic art from the 16th century up to the beginning of the 20th century and the collection of applied art and design up to the present day. Nationalmuseum’s responsibility is to preserve and make art accessible and provide knowledge. The museum was appointed the Swedish Museum of the Year 2022.

Welcome to Nationalmuseum Sweden!

Nationalmuseum is Sweden’s museum of art and design. The collections include paintings, sculpture, drawings and graphic art from the 16th century up to the beginning of the 20th century and the collection of applied art and design up to the present day. The total amount of objects is around 700,000. .

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.

Nationalmuseum loans works to Swedish Ecstasy exhibition in Brussels

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