Opening of the exhibition “Nordmandsdalen”
Art, Power and Materials in 18th Century Denmark-Norway
Experience the opening of an exhibition like no other – «Nordmandsdalen» – where art, power and history come together in wood, sandstone and the finest porcelain. Step into a curious world populated by tiny dolls, ivory figures and monumental statues. Discover the remarkable story behind a grand sculptural installation just north of Copenhagen – a journey that begins with a mailman in 18th-century Bergen.
Friday, 23 May at Permanenten
(Doors open at 18.45 – come a bit early to avoid the queue!)
Programme:
19:00 Opening speech by Margareth Hagen, Rector of the University of Bergen
19:20 Doors open to the exhibition – and you’ll be among the very first to experience it.
After the opening, the museum remains open until 22:00 – so take your time, explore the figures and the stories they tell.
The event is free and open to everyone.
We look forward to seeing you!
About the exhibition:
Between 1764 and 1784, King Frederik V established a sculpture park at Fredensborg Palace featuring 70 statues representing the people of Norway, the Sámi, and the Faroe Islands.
Often referred to as the first “democratic” project in Danish-Norwegian art history, Nordmandsdalen stands out for its depictions of everyday people rather than the elite at the top of society.
A lesser-known chapter in this story is that the project originated in Bergen, where postman Jørgen C. Garnaas (1723–1798) created a series of wooden dolls that served as models for the statues in the park.
The exhibition traces how Garnaas’ figures travelled from Bergen to the King’s court in Copenhagen – evolving from wood to ivory, sandstone, and the finest porcelain.
The exhibition has been made possible through generous loans from CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art Denmark, Frederiksborg · The Museum of National History, the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design (Norway), the National Museum of Denmark, the Norwegian Postal Museum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces, the National Gallery of Denmark, the University Library, and the University Museum of Bergen.
