The Glyptoteket

Marble bodies and paintings, mummies and Mediterranean ambiance. With its unique blend of art and beautiful architectural surroundings, the Glyptotek is both a place for deep reflection and a peaceful retreat. The world-class collection continually offers new perspectives on life, culture, and civilization through 6,000 years of art.

Art and Beer

The Glyptotek was founded by brewer Carl Jacobsen (1842-1914), one of the great industrial magnates of the 19th century and to this day the greatest Danish art patron. Carl Jacobsen was a passionate collector. With the earnings from his brewery, Carlsberg, he created an extraordinary collection of art and cultural artifacts. In 1888, Carl Jacobsen donated his art collection to the public and began the construction of the Glyptotek. Another donation, this time from the brewer’s rich collection of ancient art, followed in 1899, leading to a significant expansion of the newly opened museum.

An Oasis in the City

It’s always summer at the Glyptotek! Enjoy a break in the shade of palm trees in the Winter Garden, where the museum café, Picnic, offers beautiful cakes, freshly roasted coffee, and light dishes. Alternatively, have a cool drink on the museum’s rooftop terrace with a view over the city’s rooftops and towers.

The Glyptotek has been open to the public since 1897 and today houses over 10,000 artworks, mainly encompassing art from the ancient Mediterranean cultures as well as Danish and French sculpture and painting from the 19th century. Numerous special exhibitions provide new perspectives on the collection, often combining ancient and modern works with thought-provoking contemporary art.