Famous and Forgotten Art Treasures from Nationalmuseum

In the exhibition Highlights: Famous and Forgotten Art Treasures from Nationalmuseum a selection of some the most well-known and beloved artworks from Nationalmuseum’s collections are on show.

The exhibition discusses why some artworks has become more famous and popular than others. Words such as "highlights," "classic" or "masterpiece" are often used by museums. But what exactly is a "masterpiece"? And who decides? How has our view on masterpieces shifted through history?

The forces shaping our perceptions of the history of art have been discussed heavily in recent years. What art museums choose to show and write about contributes to the creation of a hierarchy of art and artistry. However, this hierarchy may also change. Although some artworks retain their place in the rankings, others disappear and new ones take their place.

One purpose of the exhibition is to show that our notions of art history are transformed by new ideals and experiences. Stories about some individual works' path to stardom are told, as well as works that once enjoyed great fame but that in later times, for various reasons, have been forgotten. There are also some artworks that have rarely or never before been shown in the museum - works that have not previously been recognized as "highlights," but that in our opinion really deserve that status.

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