About the exhibition: Stand Still and Turn to Stone!
Event – 26 February 2026 – House of Collections
Book Launch and Exhibition Opening!
Stand Still and Turn to Stone!
You and your guests are warmly invited to the opening of the exhibition Stand Still and Turn to Stone! and the launch of the accompanying publication on Thursday, 26 February, from 16:00 to 18:00 at the House of Collections on Hverfisgata.
The rich and otherworldly visual world of Icelandic folk tales has, since the beginning of the 20th century, been an inexhaustible source of inspiration for Icelandic visual artists. The exhibition Stand Still and Turn to Stone! reflects this narrative world and is presented across three galleries on the ground floor of the House of Collections.
The exhibition is particularly well suited for educational programming. In parallel with the exhibition, the museum’s Education Department has developed a publication connected to the themes and works on display. The book is intended for teachers and can be used at all school levels.
Light refreshments will be served. You are most warmly welcome.
Book Launch and Exhibition Opening! Stand Still and Turn to Stone!
Good Thursday
Good Thursday
26 February
We look forward to welcoming you to Good Thursday at the National Gallery of Iceland on Thursday, 26 February. On this occasion, guests can purchase an Annual Pass +1 with a 20% discount at the museum buildings of the National Gallery of Iceland. Please note that the discount is only valid for purchases made on site.
The discounted price is ISK 7,520. The Annual Pass is valid at the National Gallery of Iceland on Fríkirkjuvegur, the House of Collections on Hverfisgata, and the Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum.
The café Kaktus Espressobar will also be open until 22:00 on Good Thursday, with Happy Hour on wine and beer from 17:00–20:00. A tapas platter with a glass of wine will be offered at a special price of ISK 2,900.
On the last Thursday of every month, the National Gallery of Iceland is open until 22:00. Regular museum admission applies.
On the last Thursday of every month, the National Gallery of Iceland is open until 22:00.
Event – 1 March 2026 – National Gallery of Iceland
Expert’s Guided Tour
Architecture of Place – Hörður Ágústsson and Donald Judd
You are warmly invited to a guided tour at the National Gallery of Iceland on Sunday, 1 March at 14:00, where Daníel Björnsson will discuss the exhibition Staðarform.
In Architecture of Place, curator Gavin Morrison presents works by the American artist Donald Judd and Hörður Ágústsson. Their architectural drawings reveal a shared endeavor to understand and articulate architecture within their immediate surroundings.
Regular museum admission applies.
Attn. the tour will be held in Icelandic.
In Staðarform, curator Gavin Morrison presents works by the American artist Donald Judd and Hörður Ágústsson.
Perspectives on the Art of Einar Jónsson
Course 2026 – Einar Jónsson Museum
Adult Course
Perspectives on the Art of Einar Jónsson
Participants will explore the life and work of Einar Jónsson, a pioneer of Icelandic sculpture. The course is based on the book Seeing Souls, which places particular emphasis on the interpretation of the sculptor’s works. Attention will be given to the symbolic world of the sculptures and to how Einar Jónsson’s art reflected the national awakening and cultural discourse of his time.
The course offers participants an opportunity to view Einar Jónsson’s work in a new light and to gain a deeper understanding of his influence on Icelandic art history.
The course consists of two evening sessions, held on:
18 and 25 March, 5:15–7:00 pm
Instructor: Sigurður Trausti Traustason, former president of the board of the Einar Jónsson Museum
The course offers participants an opportunity to view Einar Jónsson’s work in a new light and to gain a deeper understanding of his influence on Icelandic art history.
Information and registration
Museum Shop 2026 – National Gallery of Iceland
Treasures from the National Gallery of Iceland Museum Shop
The National Gallery of Iceland Museum Shop is filled with high-quality gift items, greeting cards, posters, jewelry, books, and more.
Among the latest highlights is the museum’s newest publication, Stand Still and Turn to Stone!. The book features selected works from the collection of the National Gallery of Iceland that engage, in various ways, with Icelandic folk tales and the narrative world surrounding them.
The educational material is based on the work of specialists at the National Gallery of Iceland who, in collaboration with artists, folklorists, teachers, schools, and students across the country, have developed new resources for learning and creative discussion. The artworks presented in the book have been selected with the aim of being accessible and useful at all school levels. They encourage dialogue and relate directly to visual and cultural literacy.
The book also includes ideas for creative activities that can be used as classroom exercises or simply for enjoyment. In addition, it features selected folk tales, most of them drawn from the collection of Jón Árnason.
Museum shop