Slow – An Evening on Animals

Why do cows suddenly occupy such a prominent place in 19th-century art? How did living lions end up in Paris? Can an elephant really run like other animals? And what can small sculptures tell us about how humans have viewed animals and nature?

Taking the exhibition Animals takes the stage. Sculptures by Antoine-Louis Barye as our point of departure, we turn the spotlight on wild animals, pets, animal gods, and sacrificial animals. We explore richly detailed depictions of animals in art, while delving into animal rights, science, and the human gaze upon nature.

Program:

5:00-5:30 pm A Welcome Beer from Carlsberg The Winter Garden

Drawing Workshop – Animal Sketching Take a seat among the animals of Ancient Egypt and explore the sculptures' shapes, details, and expressions with pencil and paper. Ask the host for a drawing board and a pencil, then find a free chair and start sketching. Gallery 1

Introduction to Exhibition. Animals Take the Stage - Sculptures by Antoine-Louis Barye Join us for an introduction to the current special exhibition on Antoine-Louis Barye's captivating animal sculptures, and discover how these small bronze works tell powerful stories about science, civilisation, and humanity's relationship with the animal world. Meeting point: the Loggia. 15 min.

An In-Depth Look at a Work. The Animals That Became Gods What role did animals play in ancient Mesopotamia? In this introduction, we encounter lions, bulls, and mythical creatures that once guarded Babylon's Ishtar Gate, and explore how animals were closely connected to the gods, political power, and the city's ceremonies as symbols of faith, protection, and authority. Meeting point: the Loggia. 15 min.

The Mythical Creatures of the Ishtar Gate Jackals, cats, and hippopotamuses were more than just animals in ancient Egypt—they were divine beings. Discover the stories behind the animal gods, the mummified animals, and a religion in which nature and belief were deeply intertwined. Meeting point: the Loggia. 15 min.

An In-Depth Look at a Work. From Pastoral Cow to Milking Machine From idyllic landscapes to industrial dairy farming, cows have left a lasting mark on Danish art. In this introduction, we trace the cow's journey through works by J.Th. Lundbye and Theodor Philipsen, and explore how art reflected the profound changes taking place in society. Meeting point: the loggia. 15 min.

Music. DKDM x Glyptoteket. The Carnival of the Animals Violinists Nicole Bronder and Marcjanna Derentowicz, students at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, bring the animal kingdom to life in a musical programme inspired by Camille Saint-Saëns’ beloved The Carnival of the Animals. Through virtuosic performances, the audience encounters lions, cows, elephants, tortoises, and swans in an atmospheric concert experience. Danish Sculpture. 15 min.

Talk. From the Jungle to the City – The History of the First Zoos How did the first zoological gardens come into being, and what do they reveal about past attitudes towards animals and nature? Curator Christine Horwitz Tommerup joins biologist and Chair of the Danish Council on Animal Ethics, Bengt Holst, for a conversation about menageries, zoos, and the nineteenth century's fascination with exotic animals—and how these animals made their way to Europe. The Central Hall. 45 min.

Conversation. The Power of Pets TV host and dog lover Puk Elgård joins biologist and animal expert Anders Kofoed, known from GO' Morgen Danmark, and actor and cat enthusiast Rasmus Botoft for a conversation about the unique bond between humans and their pets.

What do we gain from sharing our lives with animals—and what do animals gain from their relationship with us? This conversation explores the importance of pets for our well-being, everyday lives, and emotional health, while also considering the relationship from the animals' perspective. The Central Hall. 45 min.

Concert. DJ Jonas Visti & Friends (feat. Dawda Jobarteh and Arto Eriksen) Drawing on a carefully curated selection of vinyl records, DJ Jonas Visti teams up with kora virtuoso Dawda Jobarteh and percussionist Arto Eriksen. In the Winter Garden, electronic soundscapes, West African traditions and improvised percussion come together in a dynamic and atmospheric performance. The Winter Garden. 30 min.

Nightcap & Exotic Sounds After the concert, take some time to let the evening’s many impressions sink in over a complimentary Carlsberg beer, while a curated soundtrack of retro exotica fills the Winter Garden. Stay a little longer, enjoy one last drink, and let the evening slowly wind down.

10:00 pm Thank you for tonight!

Next Slow: November 5th, 2026

As always you can enjoy a free welcome beer from Carlsberg, and throughout the evening you can buy snacks and dinner prepared by former Michelin chef, Lasse Askov. See the evening’s menu further down the page.

Food and drinks may not be enjoyed in the exhibition halls.

Read more about the exhibition here.