C. L. David Foundation and Collection

SCANDINAVIA’S LARGEST COLLECTION OF ISLAMIC ART

The Collection of Islamic Art has grown considerably over the past 50 years. From its start as a small but fine selection of medieval ceramics, it has become Scandinavia’s largest collection of Islamic art in all its aspects; today it is among the ten most important in the Western world.

In 1986, the C. L. David Foundation and Collection acquired Kronprinsessegade no. 32. This is the building next to no. 30, where the David Collection has had its official premises since 1945.

At the beginning of the new millennium, a decision was made that the time had come to fully refurbish both buildings for museum purposes. There was no longer enough space in no. 30 and security and public facilities were outdated.

Before a comprehensive restructuring of the museum begun, there were naturally discussions about whether the buildings in the center of Copenhagen should be vacated and perhaps an entirely new museum be built in a completely different location.

These discussions resulted in a decision to remain in the premises and the milieu where the David Collection had been founded and to which its founder had personal ties.

A location in the center of the city was considered advantageous for such a specialized museum, and it was also believed that a museum with the atmosphere and intimacy that come from being housed in buildings two centuries old would in itself be an attraction – especially in the future.

The rest of the article you can read in the magazine.