Trapholt Museum for Moderne Kunst (Museum of Modern Art)
Æblehaven 23
About
This is one of Denmark's greatest museums outside of Copenhagen. After you've viewed too many badly lit and dusty country museums throughout Denmark, it's refreshing to visit this sprawling complex that's been incorporated into its landscape opening onto scenic views over Kolding Fjord. Housing one of the country's most sophisticated collections of visual arts, sculpture, furniture design, applied art, and design produced after 1900, the museum is a stunner with state-of-the-art lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows. The ceramic art collection is one of the finest in the country, the works often called "studio pieces." All the pioneers in Danish ceramic art are represented here, including Jais Nielsen and Gutte Eriksen. Begun in 1988, the furniture collection charts Danish design from the 1900s to the present day, with a broad selection from the kingpin of them all, Arne Jacobsen. The museum also stages special exhibits where the best in new Danish furniture design is on parade. A full array of Danish painters can be viewed, from the COBRA movement to abstract artists of today. The works of one of our favorite Skagen artists, Ann Ancher, are particularly impressive. Pieces of sculpture by leading Danish artists are viewed in the museum garden. Near the main entrance is the Museum Shop, where many items on sale have been produced exclusively for Trapholt by leading Danish designers. Overlooking the fjord, a cafe with a summer terrace features a selection of hot main dishes, salads, and homemade cakes.
