Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts - Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation

Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakademis Skoler for Arkitektur, Design og Konservering - Arkitektskolen
Type	Public university
Established	1754
Rector	Lars Bent
Students	200 (2022)
Location	Copenhagen , Denmark
Campus	Copenhagen
Website	Schools of Visual Arts of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts

The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (in Danish: Danish: Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakademi - Billedkunst Skolerne) is a very old and respected school in Denmark. For over 250 years, it has taught students about different types of art. This school has played a big part in shaping the art of Denmark.

History of the Academy

The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts first opened its doors on March 31, 1754. It was a special gift to King Frederik V on his 31st birthday. Back then, it was called the Royal Danish Academy of Portraiture, Sculpture, and Architecture.

In 1771, its name changed to the Royal Danish Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture. At this time, a new idea was introduced. It encouraged young workers learning a trade to take extra drawing classes. This helped them develop "good taste" in their work. This idea was very helpful after the Great Fire of 1795. The city needed many new buildings, and skilled artisans were in high demand.

The name changed again in 1814 to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. The main school is still located in its original building, the Charlottenborg Palace. This beautiful palace is in the heart of Copenhagen, at Kongens Nytorv. Since 1996, the School of Architecture has been in different buildings. These are old naval buildings located on Holmen.

The academy teaches and researches many creative subjects. These include painting, sculpting, architecture, and graphics. They also teach photography, performance art, and video art. Students also learn about the history of these art forms.

The Danish Ministry of Culture oversees the academy. This means the government helps run and support the school. It's important to know that the School of Architecture, Design, and Conservation is a separate institution (KADK) from the Schools of Visual Arts.

What the Academy Teaches

The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts is made up of different schools. Each school focuses on a specific area of art and design:

• Kunstakademiets Billedkunstskoler: This is the School of Visual Arts. It focuses on traditional and modern art forms.
• Kunstakademiets Arkitektskole: This is the School of Architecture. Students here learn how to design buildings and spaces.
• Kunstakademiets Designskole: This is the School of Design. It teaches students how to create useful and beautiful objects.
• Kunstakademiets Konservatorskole: This is the School of Conservation. Students learn how to protect and restore old artworks and historical items.
• Det Kongelige Akademi for de Skønne Kunster: This is the Royal Academy of Fine Arts itself, overseeing the schools.

Awards Given by the Academy

The academy gives out several important awards to talented artists and architects. These awards recognize great achievements in the arts:

• C. F. Hansen Medal
• Thorvaldsen Medal
• Eckersberg Medal
• Thorvald Bindesbøll Medal
• N. L. Høyen Medal

Famous People from the Academy

Many well-known artists, architects, and designers have studied or taught at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Here are some of them:

From the School of Visual Arts

• Carl Bloch
• C. C. A. Christensen
• Lili Elbe
• Olafur Eliasson
• Andreas Emenius
• Caspar David Friedrich (1794–1798)
• Oluf Hartmann
• Jeppe Hein
• Georg Jensen
• Asger Jorn
• Jane Jin Kaisen
• Karl Kvaran
• Philipp Otto Runge (1799–1801)
• Heidi Maria Schwarck
• Nína Sæmundsson
• Bertel Thorvaldsen

From the School of Architecture

• Jan Gehl
• Birgit Cold
• Knud Holscher
• Bjarke Ingels
• Victor Isbrand
• Arne Jacobsen
• Finn Juhl
• Kaare Klint
• Henning Larsen
• Alex Popov
• Steen Eiler Rasmussen
• Verner Panton
• Johann Otto von Spreckelsen
• Magnus Steendorff
• Lene Tranberg
• Jørn Utzon
• Kristian von Bengtson
• Martin Nyrop

Gallery

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  Gustav III's Visit to the academy 1780 (Martin)

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  Plaster cast collection 1843 (Exner)

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  Thorvaldsen's studio at Charlottenborg, painted by Johan Vilhelm Gertner while he was still a student at the academy (1836)

See also

In Spanish: Real Academia de Bellas Artes de Dinamarca para niños

• Architecture of Denmark
• Arne Ranslet
• Danish art
• List of Danish painters
• Open access in Denmark