The Thielska Gallery is a fine art museum located on the southern part of Djurgården in Stockholm. It displays the Thiel couple's large art collection, but also various temporary exhibitions. We made an excursion here, and ended with a boat trip back to the city.
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Thielska Gallery
The Thiel Gallery is located in a large white house built by banker and art patron Ernest Thiel and his wife Signe Thiel in the early 1900s.
The Thielska Gallery is located on Blockhusudden on the southern part of Djurgården in Stockholm.
The Thiel family home
Designed by architect Ferdinand Boberg, the Thiels' white palace was completed in 1907. The Thiel family, with their children Tage and Lill, lived here until 1924. Ernest Thiel was a wealthy man, but his wife Signe was the one who awakened his interest in art and helped make the gallery what it is today.
The Thielska Gallery opened to the public in 1925, after the building and collections were acquired by the Swedish state. The gallery is largely preserved as it was when the family lived here. The building is surrounded by sculptures, including those by Gustav Vigeland and Auguste Rodin. Inside the house you will also find Café Monika Ahlberg, where lunches and pastries are served.
Large art collection
In 1896, Ernest Thiel bought the large painting 'Morning mood by the sea' by Bruno Liljefors, which was the start of an intensive art collection. When he built his large house on Blockhusudden a few years later (1904-1907), he made sure that the building had two large gallery rooms. Today, in addition to these, there are other halls and rooms where art is displayed.
The large collection includes works by many famous Swedish artists, such as Bruno Liljefors, Ernst Josephson, Eugène Jansson, Carl Larsson, August Strindberg and Anders Zorn. In addition, there is art by foreign artists, such as Edvard Munch, Paul Gauguin and Henri Toulouse-Lautrec.
We loved many of Munch's artworks, and we were also fascinated by the beautiful and unusual premises.
Exhibitions
The Thielska Gallery is constantly hosting new exhibitions. Just now, when we were here, they were showing 'Carl Johan De Geer - The Great Misconception'. De Geer has had a long career as a cultural personality, artist, filmmaker and writer, but he originally intended to be a textile designer.
"It goes back to an idea we had at the time: that a new and better world without war could be created with patterns, bright colours and music. A misconception."
The exhibition explained that in the 1960s De Geer created colourful textile prints as a revolt against the discreet ideals of the time and an attempt to change society. "It goes back to an idea we had at the time: that a new and better world without war could be created with patterns, bright colours and music. A misconception."
The exhibition, which runs until 22 March 2022, features fabrics, sketches, samples, installations and photos from the 1960s to the present day. Colour shock is promised!
Upcoming exhibitions
Several upcoming exhibitions at the Thielska Gallery are already planned.
- A home (9 April - 22 Aug 2022)
- Moments of everyday happiness - Painter Akke Kumlien (11 June - 6 Nov 2022)
- Reflection is the first step towards art - Tora Vega Holmström (10 Jan - 23 Jan 2023)
To and from the Thielska Gallery by boat
You can take the bus to the Thielska Gallery or do as we did and walk along the waterfront from northern Djurgåden. Another, perhaps even nicer way to get here is to take the shuttle boat. This is what we did when it was time to go home!
There is a jetty at Blockhusudden where some of the shuttle boats dock, and from here it is only a few minutes' walk to the Thielska Gallery. On the shuttle bus you can use the regular SL bus pass (Stockholms lokaltrafik) and you can check the boat times on sl.se.
We found it really cosy and charming to take the shuttle boat back to town. It made a few stops along the way, where people got on and off, and we got off at Nybrokajen. If you're travelling in the other direction - double check that the boat you're on stops at Blockhusudden, as only some of the shuttle boats do.
See more in the neighbourhood
Thielska Gallery is located on Djurgården, which means there are many other nice and interesting museums nearby. If you are interested in art and culture, you can for example check out Liljevalchs konsthall, Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, Nordiska museet or Skansen. A few minutes' walk from the gallery you will also find Isbladskärret where you can see lots of herons during spring, summer and autumn.
Have you visited the Thielska Gallery? How was your experience? Please tell us!
Facts about the Thielska Gallery
- Address: Sjötullsbacken 8, Djurgården, Stockholm.
- Municipality: Stockholm
- County: Stockholm County
- Landscape: Uppland
- Read more: You can find more information at the museum's website.
Tours and activities
- General screenings: Ernst Thiel's art collection is shown during a 30-minute introductory tour (included in the entrance fee).
- Booked tours: Tours can be booked for groups for a fee.
- Activities for children: The Picture Hunt and the Children's Trail can be picked up at the ticket office and are suitable for children aged 5-12. During school holidays, family tours, a quiz walk, a creative workshop and other activities are organised.
- Conference and events: Meetings, receptions, seminars etc. can be organised at the museum.
Services and practical information
- Opening hours: Regular opening hours are Tuesday-Sunday 12-17. Please note that the gallery is closed on certain public holidays.
- Prices: 130 kr for adults, 100 kr for students and pensioners and free for children and young people up to 18 years old (2022). An annual pass costs SEK 360 (2022).
- Shop: There is a museum shop with art books, gifts and more.
- Food service: Café Monika Ahlberg offers food and drink.
- Rules: Brooches are not allowed in the museum. Photography for personal use is allowed, but without flash and tripod. Larger bags are left in storage boxes.
Accessibility
- Entrance: The main entrance contains several stairs. The steps are low and there are handrails.
- Indoor environment: The Thielska Gallery is not fully adapted for visitors with disabilities. For example, the museum has no lift. There are benches and portable folding stools on all floors.
- Assistance dogs: Guide and assistance dogs are welcome, but no other animals.
Find the Thielska Gallery
- Car: Drive via Strandvägen, turn right at Berwaldhallen and drive towards Kaknästornet. Continue over Djurgårdsbrunnsbron and turn left at Manilla School. There is a car park nearby called "Blockhusudden".
- Bus: Line 67 towards Blockhusudden
- Boat: Shuttle boat no. 80 Nybrokajen/Strandvägen and several quays. Please note that not all boat trips call at the quay at Blockhusudden.
- Walking/cycling: There are nice walking and cycling routes on Djurgården. The distance from the Nordic Museum is about 3.7 kilometres.
You might also like:
Visiting Skansen - open-air museum in Stockholm
Prince Eugens Waldemarsudde - art in beautiful surroundings
Moderna museet in Stockholm - Art on Skeppsholmen
ArkDes - museum of architecture and design
East Asian Museum in Stockholm - Japan, China, Korea
Kosta Art Gallery - exciting art in the Glass Kingdom
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JoY says:
Thielska, a place I never visited more than outside. Looks very nice inside and the painted ceiling with yellow stripes.
16 January 2022 - 12:05
Helena says:
The house is very nice, as is the art! Can recommend a visit 🙂
18 January 2022 - 7:30
Ditte says:
Perfect to combine a visit here with a boat trip. These shuttle boats are so good and I use it a couple of times a week.
Glad you were also at Thielska. Nice with the different exhibitions.
16 January 2022 - 15:21
Helena says:
Yes, I understand that you travel here sometimes. The shuttle boats are really a nice way to travel by public transport! 🙂
18 January 2022 - 7:30
BP says:
I've never visited Thielska, but I was intrigued when I saw the names of Gauguin and Toulouse Lautrec. Both artists were among my absolute favourites when I was 16 years old. I even read their biographies.
PS. Wasn't it a bit hot with the hat inside Thielska Peter;-) ? DS.
16 January 2022 - 17:38
Helena says:
How fun that you had these artists as favourites when you were young! 🙂 And haha, that hat is worn in all sorts of contexts 😉.
18 January 2022 - 7:31