Skissernas Museum

About the museum

Skissernas museum (Museum of Sketches) was founded in 1934 by Professor Ragnar Josephson at the art history department of Lund University, initially under the name Arkiv för dekorativ konst (Archive for Decorative Art). The collection began with nineteen sketches given by Prince Eugen, followed by a large body of material from Georg Pauli. From 1936 the museum received state funding, and the collecting was widened from Sweden to the other Nordic countries and later to the rest of the world.

In 1938 the museum took over a former gymnasium on Finngatan, which became its first premises of its own. The first exhibition opened in 1941, and the hall later became the Internationella salen (International Hall). The architect Hans Westman extended the building in 1949 and 1959, including with the Svenska salen (Swedish Hall), and in the 1970s the museum took over an adjoining school building. Between 2001 and 2005 a new building designed by Johan Celsing was added, and in 2015–2017 Elding Oscarson added a reception, a shop and a restaurant. The museum was named Årets museum (Museum of the Year) in 2019.

The collection consists of about 40,000 works, from quick pencil sketches to plaster sculptures several metres high, by Swedish and international artists from the early 20th century to today. It includes, among other things, one of Europe's leading collections of sketches by Mexican muralists such as Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros, and sketches by artists such as Henri Matisse, Sonia Delaunay, Fernand Léger and Isaac Grünewald. The museum also manages Lund University's art collection of about 4,000 works and has a picture and cutting archive on public art.

Highlights

• The world's largest collection of sketches and preparatory studies for public art
• Sketches by, among others, Matisse, Delaunay, Léger and Isaac Grünewald
• The Mexican collection with sketches by Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros
• The sculpture park, open around the clock with free admission
• Creative workshop and family Sundays for children
• Free admission for students and young people up to and including 25

Permanent exhibitions

• Svenska salen – Sketches for public artworks in Sweden from the early 20th century to today, by, among others, Sigrid Hjertén, Isaac Grünewald and Siri Derkert, and contemporary artists.
• Mexikanska samlingen – One of Europe's leading collections of sketches by Mexican monumental painters such as Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros.
• Skulpturparken – Swedish and international art outdoors, open around the clock with free admission, with works made for the site and replicas.

Founded

1934

Operated by

Lunds universitet

Director

Annie Lindberg

Visitors per year

approx. 83,000

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Admission is free on Thursdays 17:00–19:00. The sculpture park is always open and free.

Free admission also for employees of Lund University. The Kulturarvskortet gives 50% off admission; the Kamratkortet gives free admission. Members of Wanås Konstklubb go free, members of Louisiana Klubben get two for one, and customers of Sparbanken Skåne get 20% off when paying by card.

Accessibility

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

People with reduced mobility can visit the whole museum except the gangway in the Svenska salen, which can only be reached by stairs. A wheelchair and folding stools can be borrowed. An accessible toilet is on the ground floor by the entrance, and a lift runs between the floors. Parking spaces for disabled permit holders are near the entrance. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs may be in the sculpture park. In Birgit Rausing's hall there is a wireless IR system with a receiver and a telecoil loop, which can be collected at the entrance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Every other Sunday there is a family tour at 13:30, followed by drop-in at the Skapande verkstaden (Creative Workshop) 14:00–16:00 (material fee SEK 35 per child); the tour is recommended for children from age 5. The audio guide Myrhunden spårar (Ant Hound Tracker) is aimed at the youngest, and there is a quiz and an art walk for the sculpture park. Prams are welcome, and changing tables are in the accessible toilet. The museum offers school programmes from preschool to upper secondary school.

Getting there & parking

It is about a 10–15 minute walk from Lund railway station (Lund C) to the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi for visitors; login details are available at reception. Restaurang På Skissernas serves lunch, fika and an evening menu. Museum shop with books, postcards, posters and design. Backpacks and bags larger than 20 × 30 cm may not be taken into the exhibition rooms; lockable lockers are at the entrance.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Bookings and information via bokningar@skissernasmuseum.lu.se.

Plan your visit