Programme of the week
Orla Valdemar Borch (earlier attributed to Jóhannes Kjarval) Lumpfish, no date LÍ-ÞGIG 2
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 | The National Gallery
Quality Time
The Mystery of the Lumpfish and Other Stories of Fakes and Forgeries
You are warmly invited to a Quality Time event at the National Gallery of Iceland on Wednesday, April 23 at 2 PM. Curator Dagný Heiðdal will lead a special tour of the exhibition The Mystery of the Lumpfish and Other Stories of Fakes and Forgeries.
Quality Time are events designed for people in their prime. These events feature tailored guided tours and insightful discussions with museum experts about art, current exhibitions, and museum activities.
At Quality Time events in the National Gallery of Iceland, visitors are always welcomed with coffee and refreshments, with pastries kindly provided by Kaktus Espressobar.
Please note: regular museum admission applies.
Facebook event: (20) Gæðastundir: Ráðgátan um Rauðmagann og aðrar sögur um eftirlíkingar og falsanir | Facebook
About the event: Quality Moments | National Gallery of Iceland
About the exhibition: The Mystery of the Lumpfish and Other Stories of Fakes and Forgeries | National Gallery of Iceland
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 | The House of Collections
Book Launch
Áður en hrafnarnir sækja okkur
Publishing house Forlagið and the Reykjavík International Literary Festival warmly invite you to the launch of Áður en hrafnarnir sækja okkur by Knut Ødegård, translated into Icelandic by Gerður Kristný.
The event will take place at The House of Collections on Wednesday, April 23 at 4:00 PM. Light refreshments will be served. The author and the translator will be present to sign copies and give readings from the book.
Facebook event: (20) Útgáfuhóf: Áður en hrafnarnir sækja okkur | Facebook
Orri Jónsson, Þórdís, Paris, 1991.
Thursday, April 24th, 2025 | The National Gallery
Good Thursday in April!
The National Gallery of Iceland warmly welcomes you on Good Thursday!
At 8 PM, we invite you to a guided tour in English with Pari Stave, head curator at the National Gallery of Iceland, through the group exhibition Intimacies of the Everyday.
Intimacies of the Everyday features over 60 photographs by renowned international artists: Agnieszka Sosnowska, Joakim Eskildsen, Niall McDiarmid, Orri Jónsson, and Sally Mann. The exhibition is curated by Pari Stave.
On the last Thursday of every month, the museum stays open until 10 PM, and visitors can purchase an annual pass to the National Gallery's buildings at the regular admission price.
Kaktus Espresso Bar will also be open until 10 PM on Long Thursday, offering Happy Hour on wine and beer from 5–8 PM, and a tapas platter with a glass of wine for ISK 2,900.
Come spend a relaxed and inspiring evening with us!
More: Good Thursday | National Gallery of Iceland
Facebook event: (20) Fimmtudagurinn langi / Good Thursday | Facebook
About the exhibition: Intimacies of the Everyday | National Gallery of Iceland
Finnur Jónsson 1892-1993, Stóð eg úti í tunglsljósi, 1960-1970, LÍ 4452
Saturday, April 26, 2025 | The House of Collections
Krummi Kids' Club
I Stood Outside in the Moonlight
You are warmly invited to a fun and creative art workshop hosted by the Krummi Kids’ Club at the The House of Collections, this Saturday from 2 to 4 PM.
Together, we’ll explore Finnur Jónsson’s enchanting artworks of elves and the elf queen, as well as Björg Þorsteinsdóttir’s magical Wishing Stones, both part of the National Gallery´s collection. Afterward, we’ll make our own sparkling wishing stones—keepsakes to last a lifetime!
The House of Collections currently features two family-friendly exhibitions:
– Stay and turn to stone! Folklore in Icelandic Art
– Resistance: Interplay of Art and Science
Free admission for the whole family!
Facebook event: (20) Krakkaklúbburinn Krummi: Stóð ég úti í tunglsljósi | Facebook
About the event: I Stood Outside in the Moonlight | National Gallery of Iceland
About the exhibition Resistance: Interplay of Art and Science: Resistance, Interplay of Art and Science | National Gallery of Iceland
About the exhibition Stay and turn to stone! Folklore in Icelandic Art: Stay and turn to stone! Folklore in Icelandic Art | National Gallery of Iceland
Sunday, April 27, 2025 | The House of Collections
Book Launch and Readings
Cross Roads – an anthology of art inspired writing
Join us at the The House of Collections this Sunday between 2 and 6 PM to celebrate the release of the National Gallery of Iceland’s newest publication: Cross Roads – an anthology of art inspired writing.
In collaboration with Reykjavík UNESCO City of Literature and the Reykjavík International Literary Festival, the National Gallery of Iceland presents a launch and reading event for Cross Roads a unique collection where fifteen writers and poets were each invited to choose one artwork as inspiration.
Contributing authors include:
Anne Carson, Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir, Bergþóra Snæbjörnsdóttir, Brynjólfur Þorsteinsson, Hallgrímur Helgason, Jón Kalman Stefánsson, Karólína Rós, Kristín Ómarsdóttir, Maó Alheimsdóttir, Margrét Bjarnadóttir, María Elísabet Bragadóttir, Ragna Sigurðardóttir, Ragnar Helgi Ólafsson, Ragnheiður Harpa Leifsdóttir, and Sjón.
Facebook event: (20) Útgáfuhóf og upplestur! Götuhorn – skáldtextar innblásnir af íslenskri myndlist | Facebook
Event: Crossroads – An Anthology of Art-Inspired writing | National Gallery of Iceland
Steinunn Harðardóttir, Nathalie Jacqueminet, Dagný Heiðdal, Ólafur Ingi Jónsson, Sigurður Gunnarsson
Revealing the Deception – Course 2025
A Course for Adults
Revealing the Deception – On Imitations and Forgeries
Offered in connection with the exhibition The Mystery of the Lumpfish and Other Stories of Fakes and Forgeries, this course from the National Gallery of Iceland invites adult learners to explore the intriguing world of art imitations and forgeries.
Grounded in both historical context and real-life case studies from the museum’s holdings, the course provides a rare opportunity to gain insight into how fakes are identified, understood, and interpreted. Participants will learn directly from the Gallery’s specialists, who will share their expertise, methods, and behind-the-scenes knowledge.
Instructors: Dagný Heiðdal, Nathalie Jacqueminet, Ólafur Ingi Jónsson, Sigurður Gunnarsson, and Steinunn Harðardóttir.
This course is ideal for anyone with an interest in history, art, or museum work—as well as for the simply curious who wish to explore, understand, and appreciate art more deeply.
No prior background in art is required. This course is held in Icelandic.
More: Revealing the Deception – On Imitations and Forgeries | National Gallery of Iceland
From a kids course a the National Gallery
Summer Courses – June & August 2025
The Magic Workshop
Creative Art courses for Kids – Now Open for Registration!
The National Gallery of Iceland invites 7-9 years old (born 2016-2018) children to take part in engaging and inspiring summer workshops!
Held in the Workshop at the National Gallery by the pond, these courses are designed to spark curiosity and creativity. Inspired by the museum’s exhibitions, participants will explore artworks up close, develop their sense of color and form, and experiment with various artistic techniques, including painting and sculpture.
The goal is to help children engage with visual art with confidence and curiosity through hands-on activities, discussions, and immersive experiences. At the end of each workshop, a special exhibition will be held where family and friends can admire the children’s creations.
Join us for a magical summer of creativity and exploration!
Info and registration: Courses for kids | National Gallery of Iceland
Engaging and inspiring summer workshops for kids at the National Gallery of Iceland!