The Glyptotek of the Future

The Glyptotek is set to undergo a major restoration to ensure its preservation for future generations

The Glyptotek is entering a pivotal moment in its history. Generous grants totaling DKK 1.5 billion from the New Carlsberg Foundation and the Carlsberg Foundation mean that the museum can now take a decisive step toward an extensive restoration that will preserve the iconic buildings for the future, improve conditions for the art, and strengthen accessibility for generations to come.

The goal is to preserve the cultural institution that brewer Carl Jacobsen created with the ambition of making art accessible to everyone.

A National Icon of International Significance

Since the Glyptotek opened in 1897, the museum has been a national landmark and an institution of international standing.

But after 129 years of use and millions of visitors, the buildings are under pressure.

The museum now faces essential restorations of its mosaic floors, repairs to worn building components and subsidence damage, upgrades to technical installations, and the establishment of modern fire safety zones and climate-control systems.

Extensive preliminary studies supported by the New Carlsberg Foundation document an urgent need for action.

Future-proofing the museum is not only an investment in the buildings but a prerequisite for the Glyptotek to continue operating at an international level.

Today, the Glyptotek collaborates with and borrows artworks from the world’s most renowned museums, and to maintain this, the museum must meet increasingly strict requirements for security, climate control, art handling, and exhibition facilities.

Isometric rendering of a proposal for a new forecourt and side entrance with accessibility for all. The proposal was prepared by Erik Brandt Dam Architects and reflects an early stage of the design phase.

A Temple of Beauty for Everyone

Visitor numbers at the Glyptotek continue to rise, and the museum is among the most visited in Denmark, with more than half a million guests annually. A market analysis indicates that visitor numbers could reach up to 750,000 by 2040.

To accommodate a growing and diverse audience, it is necessary to modernise the museum’s public facilities with a focus on accessibility, operations, and visitor experience. When Brewer Jacobsen inaugurated the Glyptotek, he sought to create a temple of beauty where art could speak to everyone.

The ambition is to welcome a broad and diverse public without compromising the museum’s protected architecture and unique atmosphere.

Among the initiatives are improved access at the main entrance and enhanced accessibility throughout the museum.

The project is expected to span four to six years once full funding is secured. During part of this period, the museum will be closed to the public, and during the closure, the Glyptotek plans to activate its collections in new ways outside the museum.

Investigations of crack formation in the floors of Gallery 6 as well as subsidence in the underlying slag layer above the vaulted structure. Geologist/materials specialist Sara E. Hoffritz from Artelia is examining the structure above the vault.

Example of damage to terrazzo floors with mosaics.

A Necessary and Well Prepared Project

The project is based on several years of analysis and expert consultation. From 2016–2025, the New Carlsberg Foundation has granted DKK 80 million for preliminary studies and the development of the construction program and design proposals.

Sanne Kofod Olsen, Chair of the New Carlsberg Foundation:

“The New Carlsberg Foundation has a historical and legal obligation to the Glyptotek and seeks to protect the unique cultural heritage represented by both the building and the collection. It is therefore essential that the museum undertakes this ambitious restoration so that future generations can continue to be welcomed into these beautiful surroundings.”

Majken Schultz, Chair of the Carlsberg Foundation:

“The Glyptotek is a truly unique art and cultural history museum with a world‑class collection. With this initiative, the Carlsberg Foundation helps ensure that future generations can experience art and knowledge in surroundings that are both contemporary and respectful of the building’s history.”

Gertrud Hvidberg-Hansen, Director of the Glyptotek:

“We are deeply grateful for these generous grants. They are crucial for securing the Glyptotek’s greatest artwork—the iconic buildings—for audiences many generations ahead. The museum was originally constructed to exceptionally high standards, and the restoration is a comprehensive and costly undertaking that requires intelligent, tailored solutions. With these grants, which cover 75% of the total budget, we are in a strong position to raise the remaining funding.”

The Winter Garden in Vilhelm Dahlerup’s part of the Glyptotek.

FAQ

The Glyptotek’s dome under construction, 1905.

The Glyptotek is inaugurated by Carl Jacobsen. The Winter Garden, 1906.

About the Glyptotek

The Glyptotek is an independent institution founded by Carl and Ottilia Jacobsen with contributions from the state and the City of Copenhagen, inaugurated in 1897. The museum’s first building, designed by Vilhelm Dahlerup, has been expanded with major exhibition wings in 1906 and 1996, designed by Hack Kampmann and Henning Larsen respectively. The entire building complex is protected. The Glyptotek is a state‑recognized museum and the leading museum for ancient and French art in Denmark and the Nordic region. The museum receives annual operating support from the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces and the New Carlsberg Foundation.

About the New Carlsberg Foundation

The New Carlsberg Foundation is a charitable foundation established in 1902 by Carl and Ottilia Jacobsen. Today, the foundation continues to pursue Jacobsen’s vision of strengthening art in society and making it accessible to the widest possible audience. Read more at ncf.dk

About the Carlsberg Foundation

The Carlsberg Foundation was founded by brewer J.C. Jacobsen in 1876. It is a commercial foundation supporting basic research within the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Funds for its grants primarily come from the profits of Carlsberg A/S, in which the foundation holds the controlling share. Read more at cf.dk

Kampmann’s Central Hall at the Glyptotek

The Glyptotek then and now

Forhal © Anders Sune Berg — The history of the museum
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‘Earth Elegies’ – a performance concert at the Glyptotek