Summer at Nationalmuseum

There’s plenty going on at Nationalmuseum this summer! Take your pick from exhibitions focused on eroticism in art, depictions of the seasons in fin de siècle Scandinavian painting, and shimmering silverware. Meanwhile, children can have fun learning about the gods and goddesses of antiquity.

Lust & Vice
Over 200 works from the 16th century to the present day reflect our changing views on sexuality, virtue and morality over time. Most of the works are from Nationalmuseum’s own, often little-known collections. Pieces of contemporary art obtained on loan and displayed alongside older works offer a number of different perspectives. The historical survey shows how the boundaries of morality have constantly shifted and continue to shift. The exhibition includes works by Lucas Cranach, Francois Boucher, Johan Tobias Sergel, Carl August Ehrensvärd, Annica von Hausswolff, Lars Nilsson, Kristina Jansson and Sara-Vide Ericson. Runs until 14 August 2011.

The Four Seasons
The Four Seasons takes you on a journey through the changing seasons and through Scandinavian art history of the fin de siècle period. The exhibition features over 100 paintings, sculptures and decorative artifacts from Nationalmuseum’s collections, all of them related to the seasons. How to depict spring light trickling through tender foliage? How many different colours can snow be? Join us on a stroll through the ever changing seasons, featuring works by fin de siècle Swedish artists: Hanna Pauli, Richard Berg, Gustav Fjæstad, Elsa Beskow and many others. Runs until spring 2012.

Shimmering Silver
This exhibition features silverware from the 1550s to the present day, highlighting the rich variation in the material. The artifacts are displayed in both natural and artificial light to show off the specific qualities and changing appearance of the silver. The silverware is interspersed with pieces in other materials such as glass, ceramics, stone and bronze. Runs until 9 April 2012.

Visiting gods and goddesses
Visiting gods and goddesses is Nationalmuseum’s hands-on exhibition for children. Kids and grown-ups alike can get to know the gods and goddesses of antiquity and learn about their adventures. Take a seat on Jupiter’s throne, pick up Neptune’s trident, pat Cerberus, the three-headed dog, and try on Venus’ loincloth. The exhibition is located in the main-floor gallery (Galleriet). Free admission for all visitors. Runs until 15 January 2012.

Further information:
Anna Jansson, ajn@nationalmuseum.se,  +46 8 5195 4391.
Hanna Tottmar, htr@nationalmuseum.se, +46 8 5195 4390.

Images:
Mars and Venus, Frans Floris. On display in the exhibition Lust & Vice.
Summer Night. Study, Otto Hesselbom. On display in the exhibition The Four Seasons.
Vortex, 1989 Torun Bülow-Hübe. On display in the exhibition Shimmering Silver.
Children playing in the exhibition Visiting Gods and Goddesses. Photo: Hans Thorwid.