Four favourites from SMK’s collection of European art 1300–1800

SMK is transforming the way we present Denmark’s largest art collection, which spans more than 700 years. Between 2026 and 2029, we will create new displays featuring the museum’s collection. We begin with the earliest works, which means that the European Art 1300–1800 galleries are currently closed.

In the meantime

While we are working in the galleries to prepare the new display, we have hand-picked four favourites from the period. They can be seen at the museum in rooms 102 and 103. Each tells a key part of the story of SMK’s collection, exploring themes of body and gender, life and death, miracles and mythology. You can also watch a film in which museum staff take you behind the scenes of the extensive work involved in preparing the new displays.

A dynamic collection

SMK’s collection comprises more than 200,000 works of art, but only around one per cent are on display in the galleries today. We are therefore redesigning the galleries to make room for displays that can evolve over time. This will allow us to show far more works from the collection and offer fresh perspectives, new stories and new ways of engaging with art.

When the new displays open, they will feature works that have rarely, if ever, been shown at SMK before. Some have been kept in storage, while others have been housed in palaces and government ministries. Visitors will also be able to encounter familiar, much-loved works in new contexts.

Read more about the project and the new collection displays here.