Kai Nielsen: Sculpture and Humanity on Display at Glyptoteket
Until January 5, 2025, the Glyptoteket Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark is hosting an exhibition dedicated to the work of Kai Nielsen (1882–1924), one of the most fascinating Danish sculptors of the early 20th century. Celebrated for his deeply human representations and innovative artistic approach, Nielsen is honored with a showcase that explores the nuances of his artistic journey and the significance of his creations in modern art.
LEFT: Kai Nielsen arbejder fra sygesengen. 1920. Glyptotekets arkiv © Ida & Gust Krog; RIGHT: Kai Nielsen, Vandmoderen, Kopi hugget 2003-2004. Opstillet 2005. Glyptoteket © Kim Nilsson
The Sculptor of Life and the Body
Kai Nielsen was born in 1882 in the city of Svendborg, Denmark, into a humble family. From an early age, he displayed a keen eye for the human form and a sensitivity to universal and everyday themes. After studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Nielsen developed a sculptural language that blended the classical and the modern, influenced both by his admiration for ancient art and his connection to contemporary life.
Among the main themes in his work are mythology and the human figure in its most visceral essence. From muscular bodies inspired by antiquity to sensitive depictions of motherhood and childhood, Nielsen sought to express both the strength and vulnerability of the human condition. His work is also marked by a commitment to accessibility and popularity, striving to create pieces that engaged directly with the public without elitist intermediaries.
Although he passed away prematurely in 1924 at the age of 41, Kai Nielsen left behind a lasting artistic legacy. His sculptures continue to inspire through their ability to combine strength and delicacy, monumentality and intimacy.
LEFT: Kai Nielsen, Første generation, 1906. Gips. Glyptoteket © Anders Sune Berg; RIGHT: Kai Nielsen, Morgentoilette, 1918, Faaborg Museum © Andreas Bastiansen
The Curatorial Concept: Between the Everyday and the Mythical
The curatorial concept of the exhibition at Glyptoteket seeks to highlight how Nielsen balanced the mundane and the monumental in his art. His sculptures reveal the duality between fragility and strength, between the mythical and the everyday. Works such as “First Generation”, with its monumentality and idealized musculature, evoke the ideals of classical antiquity, celebrating the human body as a perfect form. On the other hand, pieces like “Girl Playing with Her Toes” capture intimate, unpretentious moments, connecting the viewer to scenes from daily life.
The dialogue between mythology and the everyday is a recurring theme in the exhibition. Nielsen often used mythological figures, such as Aphrodite or Ymir, to create visual metaphors addressing universal questions, such as the origins of life, motherhood, and natural cycles. At the same time, he dedicated himself to busts and statuettes honoring ordinary people, such as children, friends, and athletes, humanizing sculpture and bringing it closer to the public.
The curators also emphasize the artist's efforts to make his work accessible, both conceptually and physically. Nielsen believed that art should engage directly with people, without barriers, and many of his pieces were created for public spaces or for decorative use in homes, such as his designs for the porcelain manufacturers Bing & Grøndahl and Kähler.
LEFT: Kai Nielsen og Ivar Bentsen, Figuren Blågårds Plads, 1913-1919. Granit. Nørrebro, København © Anders Sune Berg; RIGHT: Kai Nielsen og Ivar Bentsen, Figuren Blågårds Plads, 1913-1919. Granit. Nørrebro, København © Anders Sune Berg
An Immersive Experience
Combining sculptures, drawings, and archival materials, the exhibition also includes loans from private collections and other Danish and Norwegian museums. This approach allows visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the artist’s creative processes and the impact of his work during his time and beyond.
Additionally, the exhibition features interactive activities and educational content that help place Nielsen within a broader artistic context. His efforts to blend the classical with the modern, and the mythical with the accessible, are highlighted in ways that connect his work to contemporary questions about the body, identity, and humanity.
LEFT: Kai Nielsen, To søstre, 1916. Marmor. Glyptoteket © Foto Anders Sune Berg; RIGHT: Kai Nielsen, Lille pige, der sutter på sin tå, 1907-1908. Gips. Glyptoteket © Anders Sune Berg;
A Timeless Artist
Although he passed away prematurely in 1924 at the age of 41, Kai Nielsen left behind a lasting artistic legacy. His sculptures continue to inspire through their unique ability to combine strength and delicacy, monumentality and intimacy. The exhibition at Glyptoteket offers a rare opportunity to revisit the work of an artist who, in his quest for the essence of humanity, created pieces deeply rooted in the collective experience.
This exhibition is a must-see for sculpture enthusiasts and those interested in exploring the relationship between art, history, and society. Don’t miss the chance to experience Kai Nielsen’s creative universe, on display until January 5, 2025, at Glyptoteket in Copenhagen.
LEFT: Kai Nielsen, Aarhuspigen, 1921. Bronze. Glyptoteket © Anders Sune Berg; RIGHT: Kai Nielsen, Aarhuspigen, 1921. Bronze. Detalje Glyptoteket © Anders Sune Berg;
This is a unique opportunity to explore how a Danish artist from the early 20th century addressed themes that remain profoundly relevant today, such as the role of the body in art, the fusion of the classical and the modern, and the essence of humanity reflected in every detail of his creations.
Until January 5, 2025, Glyptoteket invites you to discover or rediscover the brilliance of Kai Nielsen, a sculptor who turned art into a true celebration of life in all its forms and dimensions.
LEFT: Installationsfoto Kai Nielsen - Født af hverdagen Glyptoteket © 2024 David Stjernholm; RIGHT: Installationsfoto Kai Nielsen - Født af hverdagen Glyptoteket © 2024 David Stjernholm;
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