Faaborg Museum

About the museum

The idea for the museum arose in February 1910 at a meeting of the canning manufacturer Mads Rasmussen with the painters of the Funen artists' circle, including Johannes Larsen, Fritz Syberg, Peter Hansen, and Jens Birkholm. Rasmussen financed the project, and the artists, as a purchasing committee, decided on acquisitions, hanging, and furnishing – an unusual model for the time. Still in 1910, the museum opened in Rasmussen's apartment in the canning building on Grønnegade.

Because the collection grew quickly, Rasmussen donated a dedicated building on the neighboring plot. The architect and ceramicist Carl Petersen designed it on the narrow, sloping site as a sequence of contrasting rooms with strong colors, mosaic floors, and changing light; the building opened in 1915. For the galleries, the young Kaare Klint designed the Faaborg chair in 1914, today a key work of Danish furniture design. In the domed hall stands Kai Nielsen's statue of the donor, who died as early as 1916.

Today the museum mainly shows the art of the Funen painters around 1900 in the largely preserved, listed architecture. It is complemented by a wing for special exhibitions, a conservatory, and the museum garden. A comprehensive restoration of the Carl Petersen wing is planned; in addition, the museum acquired the former studio of the painter Peter Hansen in Faaborg in 2024, which is currently being renovated.

Highlights

• Main collection of the Funen painters (Fynboerne) around 1900
• Architecture by Carl Petersen with domed hall, mosaic floors, and colorful rooms
• Faaborg chair by Kaare Klint, designed in 1914 for the museum
• Kai Nielsen's monumental sculpture of the donor Mads Rasmussen in the domed hall
• Museum garden and conservatory with creative activities for families

Permanent exhibitions

• Die Fünener Maler – The collection shows paintings and drawings by the artists' colony around Johannes Larsen, Fritz Syberg, Peter Hansen, Anna Syberg, and Jens Birkholm, embedded in the museum's original interior design.
• Gesamtkunstwerk: Architektur, Skulptur und Möbel – Carl Petersen's rooms, Kai Nielsen's sculptures, and the furniture co-designed by Kaare Klint, such as the Faaborg chair, are themselves part of the exhibition.

Founded

1910

Director

Anne Højer Petersen

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

The older, listed building has level differences, narrow corridors, and stairs that wheelchairs cannot pass. About two thirds of the museum, including the café, can be reached with a few steps via the entrance at the Sundvænget parking lot – it is best to arrange a visit by phone beforehand. A folding wheelchair can be reserved. One accessible restroom on the first floor; reserved accessible parking spaces in the public Sundvænget parking lot. Separate rules apply to service dogs and guide dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

Children and young people under 18 have free admission. In the conservatory there are free creative activities for children and adults tied to the special exhibitions, often special activities during school holidays; the garden invites free play. Strollers cannot be brought in because of narrow corridors and stairs – babies in a carrier; a small buggy can be borrowed. Changing facilities in the accessible restroom in the special exhibition wing.

Getting there & parking

There is currently a temporary summer entrance at the Sundvænget parking lot.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Summer café with coffee, tea, kringle, cold drinks, snacks, and organic ice cream from Skarø; seating in the café and shop area as well as in the garden and garden house. Outside food is not allowed on the museum grounds. Larger bags, backpacks, and umbrellas may not be taken into the exhibition.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit