Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
Copenhagen · Denmark · Founded 1897
Good for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Sculpture enthusiasts
1897
Opened
10,000+
Works in Collection
2 hours
Recommended Visit
Quick answer
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen, Denmark — the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek was founded by Carl Jacobsen, heir to the Carlsberg brewery, as a gift to the city of Copenhagen. Open Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Thursday until 10:00 PM; Closed Mondays. Admission: ✓ DKK 125 standard adult admission (approx. €17); free on Sundays. World Museum Guide covers the highlights, getting there, and how long to allow (2 hours).
Verified 2026-06-30 against official sources.
About Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen was founded by brewer Carl Jacobsen (1842–1914) — son of Carlsberg founder J.C. Jacobsen — who donated his personal art collection and the building to the city. It opened in 1897.
The Winter Garden — a palm-filled glass atrium — is the heart of the museum, surrounded by galleries of ancient sculpture, French painting, and Danish Golden Age art. Degas' Little Dancer Aged Fourteen is the collection's most famous work.
The ancient Mediterranean collection includes Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman sculpture. The French Impressionist holding — Gauguin, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne — is exceptional for a museum outside France.
Admission is affordable; the museum sits beside Tivoli Gardens — combine both on a Copenhagen day.
2 hours highlights route
A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek without museum fatigue. · 2 hours
- 1
Little Dancer Aged Fourteen
📍 French sculpture gallery
Degas's wax figure of a young ballet student — originally shown with real hair and fabric tutu.
- 2
Winter Garden
📍 Central atrium
A glass-domed palm court at the centre of the museum — tropical plants, sculpture, and natural light creating a conservatory atmosphere unique among European museums.
- 3
Dancing Faun
📍 Ancient sculpture gallery
A Roman bronze copy of a Hellenistic faun — part of Jacobsen's exceptional ancient sculpture collection acquired from Mediterranean excavations.
- 4
Woman with a Jug
📍 French painting gallery
Gauguin from the Tahitian period — part of the Glyptotek's strong Post-Impressionist holding assembled by Carl Jacobsen.
Masterworks & must-see highlights
The works that define Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek — and why they matter.
Little Dancer Aged Fourteen
Edgar Degas · 1881 (cast)
📍 French sculpture gallery
Degas's wax figure of a young ballet student — originally shown with real hair and fabric tutu. One of the most celebrated sculptures of the Impressionist era.
Winter Garden
Architecture · 1906
📍 Central atrium
A glass-domed palm court at the centre of the museum — tropical plants, sculpture, and natural light creating a conservatory atmosphere unique among European museums.
Dancing Faun
Roman copy after Greek original
📍 Ancient sculpture gallery
A Roman bronze copy of a Hellenistic faun — part of Jacobsen's exceptional ancient sculpture collection acquired from Mediterranean excavations.
Woman with a Jug
Paul Gauguin · 1896
📍 French painting gallery
Gauguin from the Tahitian period — part of the Glyptotek's strong Post-Impressionist holding assembled by Carl Jacobsen.
Collections & highlights
- • Degas — Little Dancer Aged Fourteen
- • Winter Garden palm court atrium
- • Ancient Mediterranean sculpture — Egypt, Greece, Rome
- • French Impressionism — Monet, Gauguin, Renoir
- • Danish Golden Age painting
- • French 19th-century sculpture — Rodin
- • Carl Jacobsen brewer's collection
Frequently asked questions
Is it free on Sundays?
Yes — the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek offers free admission every Sunday, making it one of the most accessible major art museums in Copenhagen.
Why is the Gauguin collection so large?
Carl Jacobsen was an early collector of Gauguin when the artist's work was still undervalued. The Glyptotek acquired works directly from Gauguin's Paris dealer and has continued to build the collection — it now holds more Gauguin paintings than almost any other institution outside France.
Can I visit the winter garden without paying?
No — the tropical winter garden is inside the museum and requires a standard ticket, or can be visited free on Sundays.
How long should I spend at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.
What is Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek best known for?
The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek was founded by Carl Jacobsen, heir to the Carlsberg brewery, as a gift to the city of Copenhagen. It opened in 1897 and expanded with a French Impressionist wing in 1906. The building — a combination of neoclassical facades and a spectacular glass-domed winter garden — is among the most beautiful museum interiors in Scandinavia. Key highlights include The world's largest Gauguin collection outside France — over 40 paintings, Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman sculpture — including Roman portrait busts, Edgar Degas — The Little Dancer and major bronze sculptures.
How do I get tickets for Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek?
✓ DKK 125 standard adult admission (approx. €17); free on Sundays Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.glyptoteket.com/
What is the Winter Garden?
A glass-domed palm court at the centre of the museum — tropical plants, sculpture, and café seating under natural light. The architectural heart of the Glyptotek and free to enter on some occasions.
Who was Carl Jacobsen?
Son of Carlsberg brewery founder J.C. Jacobsen — he amassed one of Europe's great private art collections and donated it with the building to Copenhagen. The "Ny" (New) Carlsberg Glyptotek distinguishes it from the older collection.
Can I combine with Tivoli?
Yes — Tivoli Gardens is immediately beside the museum. Many visitors do Glyptotek in the morning and Tivoli in the afternoon, or vice versa.
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