The Thorvaldsen Museum is a single-artist museum in Copenhagen, Denmark, dedicated to the art of Danish and Icelandic Neoclassical sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770–1844), who lived and worked in Rome for most of his life (1796–1838). The museum is located on the small island of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen next to Christiansborg Palace. Designed by Michael Gottlieb Bindesbøll, the building was constructed from 1838 to 1848 following a public collection of funds in 1837.
Museum as seen from the canal
Thorvaldsen Museum with Christiansborg Palace
Interior
Gallery
Albert Bertel Thorvaldsen was a Danish sculptor and medalist of international fame, who spent most of his life (1797–1838) in Italy. Thorvaldsen was born in Copenhagen into a working-class Danish/Icelandic family, and was accepted to the Royal Danish Academy of Art at the age of eleven. Working part-time with his father, who was a wood carver, Thorvaldsen won many honors and medals at the academy. He was awarded a stipend to travel to Rome and continue his education.
Portrait by Carl Joseph Begas, c. 1820
Self-portrait by Thorvaldsen while he was a student at the Royal Academy of Arts
Princess Wilhelmine, Duchess of Sagan, by Bertel Thorvaldsen 1818, Albertinum, Dresden
A portrait of Thorvaldsen, by Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg