The Reykjavik Art Museum’s, Ásmundarsafn celebrates the work of pioneering sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson, who took his inspiration from the country’s people, folklore and landscape.
Ásmundarsafn museum opened in 1983. The museum is dedicated to the works of Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893-1982). Ásmundur was an Icelandic sculptor, born at Kólsstaðir in West Iceland. Visitors can see his work can be seen all around Reykjavík, like in front of the University of Iceland or Perlan. His themes often depicted men and women at work, but as he grew older he moved away from the human and animal form and by the 1950s his work was almost entirely abstract. Additionally, some of his works draw inspiration from Icelandic sagas.
The museum actually houses its collection in the artist’s home and studio, a really unique building and a landmark of Reykjavik. Asmundur donated it to Reykjavík City along with a large collection of his work.
Ásmundarsafn Museum regularly holds exhibitions of Ásmundur’s work along with exhibitions of works by other artists. In particular, some these works have connections to Ásmundur’s work. Moreover, an elegant sculpture garden surrounds the museum, featuring around 30 sculptures by Ásmundur.
Ásmundur mostly designed the building himself in the years 1942-59. He built the curved building behind the house both as a studio and exhibition space. The architect Mannfred Vilhjálmsson later designed the extension connecting the main building and the curved building. The building’s design draws inspiration from the Mediterranean, the round houses of the Arab world, and Egypt’s pyramids.
Opening hours
May-September: 10am – 17 (5pm)
October-April: 13-17 (1pm – 5pm)
The admission ticket is valid for 24 hours and also gives you access to Hafnarhúsið (Harbour House) in the city center and Kjarvalsstaðir museum.
Where is Ásmundarsafn museum?
Ásmundarsafn is located on Sigtún street in the Laugardalur area of the city.
GPS: 64.141631 N, -21.885167 W
