Reykjavík Art Museum Ásmundarsafn

About Reykjavík Art Museum Ásmundarsafn

Ásmundarsafn is the branch of Reykjavík Art Museum devoted to the sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893–1982), housed in his white domed home and studio in Laugardalur, Reykjavík. Ásmundur, one of the first Icelanders to make a career in sculpture, designed most of the building himself and built it between 1942 and 1959.

Inside, the exhibition hall shows Ásmundur's work, often next to pieces by living artists, so the displays change through the year. Outside, the garden around the Ásmundarsafn museum holds many of his sculptures, some enlarged or made especially to stand in the open air. Walking the garden is free, and it's the best way to see how his heavy, rounded forms work at full scale.

The museum is at Sigtún 105, about 2 km east of the city center, and is open every day from 13:00 to 17:00. It closes on December 24, 25 and 31, January 1 and Easter Sunday. An hour is enough for the hall and garden, and it pairs well with a swim at Laugardalslaug or a walk in the Botanic Garden, both a short stroll away.

Adult Ásmundarsafn tickets cost 2,550 ISK and students pay 1,550 ISK, while visitors under 18 and disabled visitors get in free. One ticket is valid for 24 hours at all three Reykjavík Art Museum sites, so you can also see Hafnarhús and Kjarvalsstaðir, and the Reykjavík City Card covers entry.

The entrance has automatic doors and there's an accessible toilet. There is no lift to the exhibition hall, though, and the upstairs dome is reached by stairs only.