Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

A brewer’s dream turned art palace

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek began as the personal passion project of Carl Jacobsen, the visionary brewer behind Carlsberg and one of Denmark’s most important art patrons. In the late 19th century he donated his growing collection to the public and commissioned a museum worthy of it, opening the Glyptotek in 1897 on the edge of central Copenhagen. The name fuses Greek roots for “carving” and “storehouse”, signalling from the outset that sculpture would be at its heart. Over time the building has expanded into an elegant ensemble of wings and courtyards, each with its own character yet tied together by warm terracotta walls, classical details and abundant natural light. Walking its corridors, you sense both Jacobsen’s ambition and the meticulous curatorial vision that continues to shape the museum today.

Ancient worlds under one roof

The lower levels lead you into the Department of Antiquities, where 3,500 years of Mediterranean and Near Eastern history unfold in stone, bronze and painted surfaces. Egyptian halls showcase sarcophagi, sculpted pharaohs and funerary objects that hint at complex beliefs about the afterlife, arranged with enough space to appreciate both craftsmanship and context. Beyond them, the Greek, Etruscan and Roman collections form an almost cinematic sequence of marble-lined galleries. Larger-than-life emperors, serene kouroi and delicately draped goddesses line the routes, while smaller cases reveal coins, reliefs and everyday objects from long-lost cities. It is an immersive way to trace how artistic ideas travelled and evolved around the ancient Mediterranean.

Danish light and French modernity

Upstairs, the mood shifts to the luminous world of 19th- and early 20th-century painting and sculpture. The Danish rooms highlight the country’s Golden Age, with landscapes and interiors that capture the soft Nordic light, alongside portraits that fix Copenhagen’s bourgeoisie in meticulous detail. Sculptures by Danish masters echo the classical forms downstairs but with a more intimate, national voice. In adjoining spaces you enter France: impressionist canvases, symbolist experiments and bold colour from artists including Gauguin, whose works are a particular strength of the collection. Nearby, Degas’ bronze dancers and racehorses appear in an almost complete series, while Rodin’s expressive figures explore the possibilities of the human body in motion and repose. Together, these rooms map a moment when European art was rapidly redefining itself.

The winter garden at the museum’s heart

At the centre of it all lies the 1906 winter garden, a soaring glass-roofed oasis filled with palm trees, citrus plants and a circular pool. White statues punctuate the greenery, and the sound of the central fountain softens the edges of the city beyond the walls. It is as much a social space as a contemplative one, encouraging you to pause between galleries. On one side, the café offers light lunches, cakes and coffee with views into the foliage, making it an inviting place to linger. Sunlight filtering through the dome changes the atmosphere through the day and across seasons, turning repeat visits into subtly different experiences.

Architecture, rooftops and quiet corners

Beyond its collections, the museum rewards attention to its architectural details. Mosaic floors, carved balustrades and colour-rich wall schemes give each wing a distinct identity, while carefully placed skylights bathe sculptures in daylight. Temporary exhibitions are integrated into this fabric rather than isolated, often creating thought-provoking dialogues with the permanent displays. On fair-weather days, the rooftop terrace adds another dimension. From here you can look across Copenhagen’s skyline, picking out towers and spires while resting among sculptural elements that extend the museum’s language outdoors. Whether you come for antiquity, modern art or simply a beautiful indoor escape, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is designed to be explored at a measured pace, with plenty of alcoves and benches inviting you to sit and look a little longer.