Reykjavik Art Museum Kjarvalsstadir

Reykjavik Art Museum Kjarvalsstadir

Reykjavik Art Museum Kjarvalsstadir
4
Parks • Coffeehouses • Art Museums
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10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
As a part of Reykjavík Art Museum, Kjarvalsstaðir houses the works of one of Iceland’s most influential and recognised artists, Jóhannes S. Kjarval. The exhibitions at Kjarvalsstaðir focus primarily on paintings and sculptures of the established masters of modern art. The building is a fine example of Nordic modernism, it features floor-to ceiling windows that look onto the beautiful Klambratún Park. One can take in the view while enjoying a drink or a snack at the Museum's Café. The Museum's Café is open from 10h00-17h00. There is also a Museum Store in the lobby and a lovely family-activity space, the Idea Lab. Jóhannes S. Kjarval (1885–1972) has a unique place in Icelandic cultural history, as one of the nation's most beloved artists of all time. He was a legend in his own lifetime, and in the eyes of many he was the archetypal romantic bohemian artist. Kjarval donated some of his works and personal effects to the city of Reykjavík in 1968.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
94 reviews
Excellent
31
Very good
37
Average
19
Poor
6
Terrible
1

Capisce
North Vancouver, Canada399 contributions
Jul 2022
Located at a nice park, this small art museum had an interesting collection of portraits by an Icelandic artist as well as a woven textiles and needle point exhibition. Different but not necessarily great art. Something to kill time and get acquainted with some Icelandic art.
There is a popular café within it with overpriced (as everything in Iceland is) acceptable Scandinavian food.
Written August 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Kipp M
Tucson, AZ232 contributions
Jul 2022
Very nice museum with the entire museum dedicated to Erró, a very important member of the international pop art scene. Erró is a prolific artist and the museum's collection is impressive. It was fun and interesting to watch his style and technique progress over the decades. Really, this exhibit is not to be missed if you are in Reykjavik!
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Jennifer O
Asheville, NC42 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
This museum juxtaposes work from Iceland’s most famous artist, Kjarval, with work from contemporary artists. Kjarval was a brilliant artist who had many styles, and it was interesting to see his work placed brilliantly alongside current artists’ works. This is a must-visit for any art lover, and my favorite of the three Reykjavik Art Museum locations.
Written June 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

FdeHeer
London, UK127 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We enjoyed the walk from the harbour to the cathedral then onto this museum. You can buy a ticket for all 3 national museums . There was a textile exhibition which is not my thing but we enjoyed the art. The restaurant looked good but we were walking back into town. The lady who sold us the tickets was friendly and informative.
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Malgorzata
11,722 contributions
Jun 2019
This is a pretty good museum. The architecture of the building is really worth seeing. Two temporary exhibitions are a must-see while in Reykjavik. Small but beautiful collection. They also have a small cafe, where you can rest and drink a coffee.Staff were incredibly helpful and friendly. I was enjoying my visit. I would most definitely recommend a visit to the museum.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

6697Bjorn_Magnusson
Reykjavik, Iceland45 contributions
Jun 2012 • Family
Reykjavik art museum is located in three buildings, Kjarvalsstaðir is one of them (directly translated = The place of Kjarval).
Kjarval was a very versatile painter and artist, would never have thought many of the paintings were created by the same artist. He is renowned and very famous in Iceland and somewhat abroad.Paints alot of icelandic nature and does a good job at it, well worth the trip to go there.
Beside Kjarvalsstaðir is a public park with some recreational tools, games like frisbee.

There are two big showrooms, with excellent exhibitions. One is the same year round with works of Kjarval, the other rotates.
As an Icelander and art lover I have annual card which gives me access to the three buildings which are in fact three different museums and take a while to visit the three of them, the card cost around 1500 kr and is money well spent.

The cafeteria is good and reasonably priced, bathroom facility is very good.

The location is excellent, very close to downtown

The staff was very friendly both in the reception and coffee house located between the two large exhibition rooms.

The museum has a room where children or the whole family can draw on the walls e.g. be artist, very nice gesture.
Written June 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Maui Coconut
Maui, HI109 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
We decided to take a stroll here while waiting to check in to our AirBnB. It was a pleasant surprise. Very relaxing atmosphere and stunning art by Kjarval. As we had just arrived in Iceland, we had not yet visited the areas that served as the subject of Kjarval's paintings. Seeing Thingvellir through his eyes excited us about what was to come. After 5 days of exploring the natural beauty of Iceland we had an even greater appreciation for his unique perspective. His images (especially "Mountain Milk") were seared in my mind so it was quite interesting to flash back to that just before we did our snorkeling in Silfra fissure. My recommendation would be to visit the "guest artist" gallery first (at that time it was Louisa Mattiasdottir) before heading to Kjarval's so you too can hold those images in your mind as you exit. Enjoy!
Written December 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Laura P
Seattle, WA26 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
I had been in the East Fjords where Kjarval was from so wanted to visit this museum. I walked from downtown, but it is not right in the center, so you may want to take a bus. But no crowds - which is nice. It's a lovely airy peaceful building. One exhibit was Louisa Matthiasdottir which was very enjoyable. And the other hall was Kjarval. I'm not one to spend lots of time in museums, but I really enjoyed this one. There are free lockers and coatracks to store your things and a cafe (closed for renovations while I was there). As someone else mentioned the only downside was no postcards or prints available of Kjarvals work.
Written June 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

rus9955
St. Petersburg, Russia16 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
The museum consists of two exhibition halls, the right one shows different collections of modern art (including non-Icelandic) and the left one contains works by J.S.Kjarval and is highly recommended for every nature&art-lover. When looking to Kjarval's works you'll understand local nature much more than you did before.
Written December 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Joanie_Balonie
Sedona, AZ546 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
This is a quaint museum, a nice place to spend some time out from the cold, misty weather of Reykjavik. It holds many pieces of Iceland's history. The gift shop has some very cool things you can purchase. The coffee shop is also a nice place to sit and relax.
Written August 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Reykjavik Art Museum Kjarvalsstadir - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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Reykjavik Art Museum Kjarvalsstadir is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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