The Thiel Gallery 100 Years
1925 – 2025
In 2025 , one hundred years have passed since the Thiel Gallery opened as a museum. On the first day, 7 January 1925, people of all ages and social classes flocked to Djurgården to see the spectacular art collection in what had previously been the private residence of one of Sweden’s richest families. The press reported “up to three-quarters of a thousand” (just over 700) visitors, and the front page of Dagens Nyheter shows the inaugural audience posing in the drawing room – most of them in winter coats, hats and fur boas.
The art critic and Academy member Tor Hedberg was appointed director of the museum by the new owners (the government). His task was to preserve and show the art collection. Assisted by his wife, the actress Stina Hedberg, the first steps were taken towards something resembling today’s activities, but the museum did not start showing temporary exhibitions until decades later.
The Centennial Year 2025
The centennial will be celebrated with lots of activities. The spring exhibition, Together, highlighted that the Thiel Gallery is a total work of art, which was a meeting place for artists, poets and musicians even in the days of Ernest and Signe Maria Thiel. The exhibition also featured works by four contemporary artist duos who work together in various ways. This autumn, we continues the celebration of the centennial with an exhibition focusing on portrayals of amusements and nightlife in early 20th-century art. How did artists portray carnivals, parties and costume balls, café nightlife, variety shows, races, circuses and dancing?
Jubilee Exhibitions
The Sweet Life
13 September 2025 – 1 February 2026
This autumn, the Thiel Gallery continues the celebration of its centennial with an exhibition focusing on portrayals of amusements and nightlife in early 20th-century art. How did artists portray carnivals, parties and costume balls, café nightlife, variety shows, races, circuses and dancing? Society was turbulent, and art sometimes offered an escape from everyday worries.
Together
15 February – 24 August 2025
The centennial begins with Together, an exhibition to highlight the fact that the Thiel Gallery is the result of concerted efforts. This is true, of course, of its founders, Ernest and Signe Maria Thiel, who built one of Sweden’s most impressive art collections together, but also of the many artists they supported and whose works have shaped the Gallery.
Jubilee Products
Discover the new jubilee products inspired by architectural details from the Thiel Gallery.
The frog on the coasters is a detail found on one of the museum’s gates, and the tray’s design is taken from a decoration on the museum’s façade depicting the blockhouse that once stood at Blockhusudden.
The jubilee products are available for purchase in the museum shop and in the online store
Signe Maria Thiel
