Information
Landmark: Ásgrímur Jónsson CollectionCity: Reykjavik
Country: Iceland
Continent: Europe
Ásgrímur Jónsson Collection, Reykjavik, Iceland, Europe
Overview
Inside the artist’s old Reykjavik home, the Ásgrímur Jónsson Collection honors one of Iceland’s groundbreaking modern painters, Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876–1958), whose brushes once left bright strokes across these very walls.The National Gallery of Iceland oversees the collection, giving visitors a close-up view of his life, his art, and the mark he left on Icelandic culture-like a brushstroke still fresh on the canvas.At Bergstaðastræti 74 in Reykjavik-once Ásgrímur Jónsson’s home and studio-you’ll find an intimate look at the artist’s life and work, from sweeping mountain landscapes to vivid scenes of Icelandic folklore; Ásgrímur, one of the first Icelanders trained abroad, helped shape the very course of the nation’s visual art.Ásgrímur was born in Rútsstaðir, a quiet farming region in southern Iceland, where the sweep of green hills and the pull of local legends shaped his imagination.He later studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, becoming one of the first Icelanders to receive formal training.His landscapes brim with Iceland’s rugged drama-jagged mountains, deep fjords, and blue-white glaciers-often tinged with the mystery of folklore and oral tales.Working in oil, watercolor, and ink, he showed a rare versatility.A pioneer of Icelandic art, he helped forge a national style, and when he died, he left his home and much of his work to the Icelandic state so anyone could step inside and see it for themselves.Permanent Exhibitions include *Landscape Paintings*-striking views of Iceland’s wild terrain, from black volcanic slopes to glittering glaciers and quiet farmsteads.*Folklore and Mythology* brings to life sagas filled with elves, trolls, and restless spirits, blending vivid storytelling with bold brushwork.Shown in Ásgrímur’s former home, the works feel intimate, offering a glimpse of his daily routines and creative spark.Temporary Exhibitions rotate, highlighting lesser-known pieces or themed collections that cast his art in a new light.In *The Studio*, visitors step into the preserved workspace, still scattered with worn brushes, sketches, and personal mementos, revealing the heart of his craft.The museum’s cozy rooms invite a calm, personal connection with the art-perfect for anyone who enjoys lingering in quiet thought-while guided tours and well-placed displays weave in stories of Ásgrímur’s life and the times he lived in, and lively workshops and events welcome families and children to explore Icelandic art and folklore together.Open seasonally, usually during summer when the air smells of sunscreen and fresh-cut grass.The Ásgrímur Jónsson Collection, a short walk from Reykjavik’s city center, welcomes most visitors free of charge as part of the National Gallery of Iceland; hours can change, so it’s best to check ahead, and while the historic setting may pose challenges for those with limited mobility, the nearby Hallgrímskirkja, Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden, and the National Gallery’s other exhibitions make it easy to turn your visit into a rich day of art, history, and quiet moments-like pausing in the artist’s own home to see how the light spills across his painted landscapes, especially if you’ve steeped yourself in the Icelandic myths that inspired them.With sweeping views of jagged cliffs, artwork steeped in old folktales, and intimate keepsakes from local life, it’s a place art lovers-and anyone curious about the soul of Iceland-won’t want to miss.
