About this place
Sofus Madsen Skulpturmuseum is a small sculpture museum in Bergen, housed in the home and studio of one of Norway's best-known sculptors of the early twentieth century. The building stands in the Landås district on Kanonhaugen street, on a hillside above the city centre. It suits visitors who want to see art where it was actually made.
Who was Sofus Madsen?
Sofus Madsen (1881–1977) was a sculptor tied to Bergen for most of his life. He worked mainly with the human figure in a classicist spirit, and his calm, realistic pieces are easy to spot in the city's public spaces. His best-known work is the figure of Mercury on the tower of the Sundt department store on Torgallmenningen, one of Bergen's main streets. Encyclopedic sources credit him with around twenty-eight sculptures and reliefs in the city.
His work also appears elsewhere. Sources mention "Fiskerne" in Haugesund and "Sprinteren" at the Brann football stadium in Bergen. His sculpture "Morgendemring" from 1918 belongs to the collection of the Nasjonalmuseet in Oslo. In 1924 Madsen took part in the art competition at the Paris Olympic Games with two sculptures.
What can you see inside?
The museum opened in 1999 in the house and studio the artist designed himself. The collection holds up to 180 objects: sculptures, medals, drawings and tapestries. Some of the works were made by his wife, Grethe Corneliussen Madsen, so the display also shows the output of an artistic couple. The scale is intimate, and a visit does not take long.
Planning your visit
The address is Kanonhaugen 20. The museum is seasonal and has very limited opening hours; according to one museum directory it opens only on Sundays during the summer season. Check current information before you go, as hours can change. Landås sits on a slope, so be ready for an uphill walk or use local public transport.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the museum? In Bergen, in the Landås district, on Kanonhaugen street.
Is it open all year? No. It runs seasonally and only a few days a week, so check the hours before visiting.
What is on display? Sculptures, medals, drawings and tapestries, including works by the artist's wife.
Where else in Bergen can I see Madsen's sculptures? The best known is the Mercury figure on the Sundt department store tower on Torgallmenningen, plus "Sprinteren" at Brann stadium.
Who is it for? Fans of figurative sculpture, Norwegian art history, and travellers looking for less obvious sights in Bergen.
Nearby places
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.