Nivaagaards Malerisamling

About the museum

The collection goes back to the estate owner and politician Johannes Hage (1842–1923), who inherited the Nivaagaard estate from his father in 1872. After withdrawing from politics, he assembled European painting of the Renaissance and Baroque as well as Danish 19th-century art between about 1895 and 1905, with the support of art historians. In 1903 he had the architect Johan Schrøder build a small art temple near the manor house, and with a deed of foundation dated September 30, 1908, he opened the collection to the public as an independent institution.

Until 1981 a board ran the museum, then a professional director was hired for the first time. With grants from the municipality and county, the Malerisamling became a state-recognized art museum in 1983 and held its first special exhibition that same year. From 1988 an exhibition building with a café was built to plans by David Bretton-Meyer, followed by a further extension in 1992. In 2021 the building underwent a comprehensive climate renovation with geothermal energy, new ventilation, and new skylights, so that the paintings can be seen in daylight again.

The collection comprises more than 250 works, shown in rotating displays and fully accessible digitally – including works by Giovanni Bellini, Sofonisba Anguissola, Rembrandt, C. W. Eckersberg, and Wilhelm Marstrand. In addition there are two to three special exhibitions per year. The museum is located in a romantic park, which the landscape gardener Edvard Glæsel laid out for Hage from 1901 and which is known for its rhododendrons.

Highlights

• Italian Renaissance with works by Giovanni Bellini and Sofonisba Anguissola
• Dutch Baroque, including Rembrandt
• Danish 19th-century art, including Eckersberg and Marstrand
• Romantic park with a large rhododendron bloom in late May/early June
• Café with terrace and dinner on weekdays

Permanent exhibitions

• Renæssance – Italian and Northern European painting of the Renaissance, including Madonna paintings and portraits by Giovanni Bellini and Sofonisba Anguissola.
• Barok – Dutch painting of the 17th century with portraits, landscapes, seascapes, and genre scenes, including works by Rembrandt.
• Dansk 1800-tals kunst – Danish paintings and busts of the 19th century, including by C. W. Eckersberg and Wilhelm Marstrand, as well as portraits of the founding Hage family.

Founded

1908

Operated by

Nivaagaards Malerisamling (selbstständige Institution)

Director

Andrea Rygg Karberg

Visitors per year

approx. 47,905

Admission & discounts

Payment by Dankort, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and Visa Electron. Gift vouchers for admission, events, shop, and café via the webshop.

Accessibility

• 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

Plenty of space for wheelchairs throughout; in the old part, ramps lead to the side galleries two steps higher, and another ramp to the terrace. Two loan wheelchairs and one rollator (reservation recommended). Accessible restroom and accessible parking space. Presentation for people with autism via AutismGoTo.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available

For the collection and special exhibitions there are always activity sheets, and in the Havefoyer a children's table with art supplies and books. Family workshops during school holidays and on holidays, monthly family singing with dinner (Skrål & Spis), and the drawing school Rembrandts Lærlinge for 8- to 16-year-olds. Strollers and large buggies are not allowed in the galleries, small buggies are; two loan buggies at the reception.

Getting there & parking

By car via Strandvejen (Route 152) or the motorway E47/E55, exit 6 (Nivå) from the south or exit 5 (Humlebæk) from the north. On the way from the station you pass the museum's Stationshaven with the sculpture Skt. Katharina.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Café Nivaagaard with terrace (tel. +45 53 85 10 17, cafe@nivaagaard.dk): lunch without reservation, Tue–Fri evenings a dish of the week (DKK 170, children up to 12 years DKK 85), kitchen closes at 19:15, reservation recommended for evenings; groups of 10 or more by booking only. Museum shop and webshop. Charging station for electric cars in the parking lot and outlets for e-bikes at the bike rack.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Celebrations in a room of your own, such as birthdays, christenings, anniversaries, funeral receptions, or corporate events, with brunch (from 30 people, DKK 595 per person), lunch (from 25 people, DKK 695), or funeral coffee (from 30 people, DKK 345); free admission to the exhibitions included. External organizers can also inquire.

Plan your visit