TRYGGVI ÓLAFSSON’S ART COLLECTION

Born in Norðfjörður in 1940, Tryggvi Ólafsson started to paint at a young age and studied at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts in 1960-61 and at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, 1961-66. Tryggvi spent most of his working life in Copenhagen, Denmark and adapted early on his unique and easily recognisable style that gave him an edge and put him in the league of Iceland’s best-known contemporary artists.

Tryggvi Ólafsson’s Art Collection was established in September 2001 when Björn Bjarnason, former minister of education, donated on behalf of the Icelandic government, the painting Kronos to the museum. An important contributor to the establishment of the museum was Magni Kristjánsson, ship’s captain and Tryggvi’s childhood friend who was responsible for opening the museum which was first located in the old Co-Op building which now houses Hildibrand Hotel.

The museum was relocated in 2007 to its current location in Neskaupstaður’s Museum House. The Art Collection is one of three museums in Neskaupstaður’s Museum House and is located on the ground floor. The museum is the largest owner of Tryggvi’s work in Iceland and puts up a new exhibitions of Tryggvi’s work every summer.

In 2017 Tryggvi Ólafsson was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Dannebrog.  On that occasion he was interviewed by the Icelandic National Television (RÚV) where he talked about his life and art. The interview is available on RÚV’s website.

Museum in Fjardabyggd – Openinig hours