Carlsberg Museum
| Company type | Museum (former), Business centre (current) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Museum, Events |
| Founded | 1882 |
| Founder | Carl Jacobsen |
| Headquarters | Copenhagen , Denmark |
| Products | Sculpture exhibitions (former), Conferences, receptions, events (current) |
| Owner | Visit Carlsberg |
Carlsberg Museum, situated adjacent to the former residence of Carl Jacobsen within the Carlsberg neighborhood of Copenhagen, Denmark, originally housed his extensive sculpture collection. This collection is presently exhibited at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek located in central Copenhagen. The structure consists of 20 galleries built between 1892 and 1895, crafted by architects Vilhelm Dahlerup and Hack Kampmann. Today, it serves as a location for conferences, receptions, and various events.
History
Upon purchasing Bakkegården as a family residence, Carl Jacobsen added a winter garden in 1882. As an enthusiastic art collector, he showcased his expanding sculpture assemblage there and made it accessible to the public that same year.
Due to the swift expansion of the collection, Dahlerup designed four additional galleries (2–5) in 1885, followed by nine more (6–14) in 1886. Between 1892 and 1896, Hack Kampmann, who was responsible for Jacobsen’s new home design, extended the museum with six further galleries and refurbished nearly all existing spaces except galleries 2–4.
After transferring the artworks to the current Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek—with modern art relocated in 1896 and classical pieces in 1905—the building was utilized as an artist’s studio and private venue for the Jacobsen family. In 1915, Vagn Jacobsen, Carl’s son and successor as head of Carlsberg, transformed it into a museum dedicated to the brewery’s heritage. It remained a prominent feature on brewery tours until the inauguration of a new visitor center in 1999; the museum ceased operations permanently on 1 June 2009.
Architecture
The edifice is constructed from red brick and includes a facade frieze depicting cranes created by artist Hansen Rejstrup.
A distinctive feature is the Empress Gallery, characterized by its rotunda and four Ionic columns arranged in line with the apse. Various other galleries display diverse decorative motifs on floors, walls, and ceilings, all illuminated by overhead lighting.
Carlsberg Business Centre
Currently functioning as the Carlsberg Business Centre, the former museum hosts conferences, meetings, dinners, and receptions. Its management is overseen by Visit Carlsberg.