Louisiana presents a thematic display, which focuses on the artistic movements and the artists that shaped the beginning and the early history of the collection.

In the East Wing you will find a selection from the historical part of the Louisiana Collection, centring on some of its core areas – European and American art from the post-war years, Constructivism and Pop Art. Each cluster of works tells the story of how the collection came into being and grew over the years.

The Louisiana opened in 1958 with a collection of modern Danish art, made up mainly of founder Knud W. Jensen’s private collection. Just a few years later, the museum changed course to become an international Museum of Modern Art, particularly after Jensen encountered international art during a visit to documenta II in Kassel, 1959. From that point on, the Louisiana showed international art in changing exhibitions and by acquiring works for its collection.