Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
▲Bergen Art Museum (Bergen Kunstmuseum)
—If you need to get out
of the rain (and you enjoyed the National Gallery in Oslo), check out this
collection of collections in four neighboring buildings facing the lake along
Rasmus Meyers Allé. The Lysverket building has an eclectic cross section
of both international and Norwegian artists. The Rasmus Meyer branch spe-
cializes in Norwegian artists (with an especially good Munch exhibit). The
Stenersen building has installations of contemporary art (and a recommended
café), while the Permanenten building has decorative arts. Small description
sheets in English are in each room.
Cost and Hours:
100 kr, daily 11:00-17:00, closed Mon mid-Sept-mid-
May, Rasmus Meyers Allé 3, tel. 55 56 80 00,
www.kunstmuseene.no
.
Visiting the Museum:
Many visitors focus on the
Lysverket
(“Light-
house”), featuring an easily digestible collection. Here are some of its high-
lights: The ground floor includes an extensive collection of works by Nikolai
Astrup (1880-1928), who depicts Norway's fjords with bright colors and Ex-
pressionistic flair. Up on the first floor is a great collection of J. C. Dahl and
his students, who captured the majesty of Norway's natural wonders (look
for Adelsteen Normann's impressive, photorealistic view of Romsdalfjord).
“Norwegian Art 1840-1900” includes works by Christian Krohg, as well as
some portraits by Harriet Backer. Also on this floor are icons and various
European Old Masters.
Up on the second floor, things get modern. The Tower Hall (Tårnsalen)
features Norwegian modernism and an extensive exhibit of Bergen's avant-
garde art (1966-1985), kicked off by “Group 66.” The International Modern-
ism section has four stars: Pablo Picasso (sketches, etchings, collages, and a
few Cubist paintings), Paul Klee (the Swiss childlike painter), and the dynam-
ic Norwegian duo of Edvard Munch and Ludvig Karisten. Rounding it out are
a smattering of Surrealist, Abstract Expressionist, and Op Art pieces.
▲Aquarium (Akvariet)
—Small but fun, this aquarium claims to be the
second-most-visited sight in Bergen. It's wonderfully laid out and explained
in English. Check out the informative exhibit downstairs on Norway's fish-
farming industry.
