The Architecture of Fuglsang Art Museum
The Fuglsang Art Museum is situated within the rural surroundings of Guldborgsund Municipality on the island of Lolland, Denmark. As a component of the Fuglsang Cultural Centre, the museum occupies a purpose-built structure designed by Tony Fretton. The whitewashed, modernistic building was conceived to harmonize with the Fuglsang estate and the surrounding landscape. This integration of architecture and environment is central to the site's presence.
The design of the building has received significant recognition. It was short-listed for the Stirling Prize in 2009 and was awarded the 2009 RIBA European Award. The architecture maintains a quiet dialogue with the landscape, avoiding a sense of imposition upon the estate. The structure provides a specific, intentional setting for the art it houses, ensuring the building and the surroundings exist in a state of mutual respect.
The Extensive Painting Collection
The museum holds approximately 500 paintings, spanning a significant period of Danish art history. The collection begins with works from the late 18th century and extends through the Danish Golden Age of the first half of the 19th century. While these earlier pieces provide a foundation, the primary focus of the collection rests on the era around 1900. This period allows for a concentrated study of the shifts in Danish visual language as the century turned.
The selection of artists reflects the diverse movements that shaped the nation's aesthetic. One finds the influence of the Skagen Painters and the Fynboerne alongside the specific contributions of Theodor Philipsen and L. A. Ring. The presence of Vilhelm Hammershøi and Oluf Hartmann provides a particular weight to the galleries. Other significant figures represented in the collection include Jais Nielsen, Jens Juel, Kristian Zahrtmann, Olaf Rude, P. C. Skovgaard, and Vilhelm Lundstrøm.
- Portrait of the painter Niels Peter Holbech, about 1824 - Wilhelm Bendz
- Harvest Time, 1901 - Anna Ancher
- A spring day at Karrebæksminde., about 1897 - Laurits Andersen Ring
- Foggy winter day in Vinderø, 1901 - Laurits Andersen Ring
- Self-portrait by lamplight, 1916 - Kristian Zahrtmann
- Painting from the environs of Sorø, 1915 - Harald Giersing
Sculpture and Works on Paper
The museum houses approximately 199 sculptures, a collection that spans from the late 19th century to 1950. A particular concentration of these works focuses on the period between 1930 and 1950. These figures occupy the space with a physical presence that invites quiet observation, many of them reflecting the stylistic shifts of the mid-20th century.
Alongside the three-dimensional works, the collection includes an extensive range of works on paper, primarily originating from the 20th century. This selection encompasses drawings and watercolours, with a significant emphasis on graphic works. These pieces offer a more intimate scale of expression, allowing for a closer study of line and texture.
- Self-portrait by lamplight, about 1916 - Kristian Zahrtmann
- Harvest workers, 1927 - Johannes Wilhjelm
Art in the Surrounding Landscape
The museum has expanded its collection to include outdoor art, extending the presence of the works beyond the interior walls. These pieces are situated within the Fuglsang Art Landscape, a series of landscape dialogues that integrate art with the natural environment. The works are positioned by Lea Porsager, Ditte Gantriis, Ragnhild May, and Lulu Refn.
The setting includes the Fuglsang Garden and the protected salt meadow of Skejten, which faces Guldborgsund. These spaces allow the art to exist in conversation with the specific light and topography of the island of Lolland. The landscape provides a quiet context for the outdoor installations.
