Museum Jorn

The Vision of Asger Jorn and the CoBrA Legacy

Museum Jorn stands as a testament to the revolutionary spirit of Asger Jorn (1914–1973), one of Denmark's most influential 20th-century artists and a founding member of the CoBrA movement. Jorn's ambition was simple yet profound: to make art accessible to everyone. The museum, founded in the early 1950s, grew exponentially after his death in 1973, when his collection doubled and the institution became a beacon for modern and contemporary art in Scandinavia. Today, it houses the second-largest art collection in Denmark, comprising over 30,000 works by more than 550 artists, making it an essential destination for anyone seeking to understand European modernism and the experimental spirit that defined the post-war artistic renaissance. The CoBrA group—named after Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam—revolutionized European art by embracing spontaneity, bold color, and primitive forms as reactions against rigid academic traditions. Museum Jorn's extensive holdings of CoBrA works provide unparalleled insight into this transformative movement, showcasing how these artists challenged conventions and redefined what modern art could be.

A World-Class Collection in an Idyllic Setting

The museum's collection represents a carefully curated dialogue between Jorn's prolific output and works by internationally renowned contemporaries and peers. Visitors encounter masterpieces by Max Ernst, Fernand Léger, Jean Dubuffet, Francis Picabia, Sonja Ferlov Mancoba, Georg Baselitz, and Markus Lüpertz, alongside significant holdings by Per Kirkeby (1938–2018), another towering figure in Danish modern art. This breadth and depth reflect the museum's commitment to contextualizing Jorn's achievements within the broader landscape of 20th-century innovation. The physical setting amplifies the experience. Positioned directly on the banks of the Gudenåen river in Silkeborg, the museum merges art with nature, offering visitors a serene backdrop for contemplation. The riverside location transforms a museum visit into a multisensory experience, where the interplay of light on water complements the vibrant canvases within.

Engaging Visitors Through Play and Experimentation

Museum Jorn distinguishes itself through its commitment to active engagement rather than passive observation. Throughout the exhibition spaces, visitors encounter workshop stations and activity areas where they can experiment with techniques and materials inspired by Jorn's diverse practice. These immersive stations invite exploration of drawing, printmaking, and other creative processes, embodying Jorn's democratic vision of art as something to be experienced and created rather than merely admired from a distance. This approach makes the museum particularly welcoming to families and younger visitors, who find themselves invited to become temporary artists themselves.

Temporary Exhibitions and Evolving Perspectives

Beyond its permanent collection, Museum Jorn maintains an active exhibition schedule featuring international contemporary and historical works. These rotating displays ensure that repeat visitors continually encounter fresh perspectives and thematic explorations, preventing the museum from becoming static. Recent and upcoming exhibitions have examined connections between Jorn and his contemporaries, explored specific artistic movements, and presented works from the museum's extensive archives that rarely see public display.

Amenities and Visitor Experience

The Café Cobra, overlooking the river, serves lunch, tea, coffee, cakes, wine, and snacks, providing a natural gathering point for reflection and conversation. The museum shop offers art books, exhibition catalogs, posters, quality design products, and thoughtfully curated souvenirs. Practical facilities include free parking, accessible exhibition spaces with wheelchair access, borrowed wheelchairs and prams, free lockers, and accessible restrooms on multiple levels. The museum's welcoming infrastructure ensures that visitors of all abilities can fully engage with the collection.