Den Hirschsprungske Samling

About the museum

The foundation of the museum was laid by the tobacco manufacturer Heinrich Hirschsprung and his wife Pauline, who over decades collected Danish art of their own time and of the preceding generations. As early as 1888 they showed their collection publicly at Charlottenborg Palace; afterwards they deliberately built it up into a representative overview of a century of Danish art, complemented by works by the Symbolists.

In 1902 the couple announced a donation to the state, on the condition that the collection receive a building and a management of its own. After lengthy negotiations, this was accepted in 1907. The architect H.B. Storck designed a small building with a classicist character, with four skylit galleries and several smaller cabinets in the Østre Anlæg park; Heinrich Hirschsprung died in 1908, shortly after construction began.

The art historian Emil Hannover furnished the building, hung the paintings chronologically, and fitted out the rooms with furniture from artists' households; he also became the first director. The museum opened on July 8, 1911. Many works still hang in the places they occupied then, and the building has been listed since 1995.

The state museum, with its own board, shows major works by C.W. Eckersberg, Christen Købke, Anna Ancher, P.S. Krøyer, and Vilhelm Hammershøi as well as sketchbooks, paint boxes, and palettes. There is also an archive with more than 25,000 artists' letters.

Highlights

• One of the largest collections of works by P.S. Krøyer
• Works from the Danish Golden Age, including Eckersberg and Købke
• Skagen painters such as Anna and Michael Ancher
• Symbolists around Vilhelm Hammershøi
• Cabinets with furniture from artists' households
• Listed museum building by H.B. Storck (1911)

Permanent exhibitions

• Det moderne gennembrud – Mesterværker fra museets samling – A rehang of 116 works from the museum's own collection in the three large galleries and Gallery 6 – with Symbolists, Skagen painters, and women artists such as Bertha Wegmann.

Founded

1911

Operated by

Dänischer Staat (staatliches Museum mit eigenem Vorstand)

Director

Karina Lykke Grand

Visitors per year

approx. 64,115 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Copenhagen Card, annual pass, and Parkmuseerne ticket. The museum takes part in the Kulturpas. Tickets at the ticket desk or online.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Wheelchair access via the path to the right of the main entrance; all exhibition galleries are reachable by wheelchair. Loan wheelchairs and walkers. Accessible parking spaces on Stockholmsgade directly in front of the museum. Certified under the Danish accessibility label God Adgang. Sunflower lanyard on request; visit preparation with AutismGoTo.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available

Strollers are not allowed in the exhibition; the museum provides folding strollers free of charge and recommends a baby carrier for the youngest. Admission is free for under 18s. There are separate education programs for kindergartens and school classes.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in Østre Anlæg park in the museum district near Statens Museum for Kunst.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check

No museum café; with your ticket, 10% off at the restaurant Under Uret and the café Marzano (each two minutes away). Museum shop Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00, also accessible without admission. Food and drinks are not allowed in the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit