Light Hall

The Lyssalen (Hall of Light) sits at the top of the Nasjonalmuseet and serves as its most striking architectural feature. Translucent glass and marble walls backlit from within flood the space with a soft, warm glow. The effect is remarkable: the illuminated chamber becomes a beacon visible across Oslo's skyline, making it an unmissable sight when you visit. The interplay of light and materials creates an unforgettable experience quite unlike anything else in the city.

Norwegian Painting Gallery — 19th Century Collection

This gallery showcases 19th-century Norwegian painting at its finest, spanning Romanticism and Naturalism. Key works by Johan Christian Dahl, Adolph Tidemand, Hans Gude, Christian Krohg, Theodor Kittelsen and Harald Sohlberg are on display. The collection features a dedicated section devoted to Edvard Munch, with early versions of The Scream, Madonna, Girls on the Pier, The Dance of Life and The Sick Child. Essential viewing for anyone interested in Northern European art history.

The Scream Room (Edvard Munch)

At the Nasjonalmuseet in Oslo, Edvard Munch has his own dedicated gallery showcasing some of the earliest versions of The Scream alongside other significant works including Madonna, Girls on the Pier, The Dance of Life and The Sick Child. This is one of the museum's most important sections within the permanent collection and well worth visiting to understand Munch's profound influence on modern art.

Decorative Arts and Design Collection

The Nasjonalmuseet's Decorative Art and Design Collection occupies the first floor, showcasing design and craftsmanship from ancient times to the present day. Among the highlights is the Baldishol Tapestry, woven between approximately 1040 and 1190, and a Ming Dynasty vase over 600 years old. The collection spans centuries of artistic tradition, offering insight into how everyday objects and fine craftsmanship have evolved throughout history.

Architecture Collection

The Nasjonalmuseet's Architecture Collection holds over 300,000 items spanning from the 1830s to the present day. You'll find drawings, models, photographs and archives documenting the work of Norway's most significant architects. On the second floor, there's a dedicated gallery devoted to Sverre Fehn, the Pritzker Prize-winning architect. It's an essential visit for anyone interested in Norwegian architectural heritage and modern design.

Prints and Drawings Collection

Paus Collection of Classical Antiquities

The Paus Collection of Classical Antiquities forms part of Oslo's Nasjonalmuseet, housing an important assembly of Greek and Roman artefacts. Though detailed information on this specific sub-collection remains limited in readily available sources, it represents a significant holding for those interested in classical civilisations. Visit the Nasjonalmuseet to explore these pieces within the museum's broader antiquities section.

Contemporary Art Collection

The Contemporary Art Collection occupies the second floor of the Nasjonalmuseet, showcasing modern artwork by Norwegian and international artists alike. The galleries feature works by Ingerid Kuiters, Daisuke Kosugi, Ilavenil Vasuky Jayapalan, Kjartan Slettemark, Inghild Karlsen, Bjørn Carlsen, Torbjørn Rødland, Matias Faldbakken and Ida Ekblad. This dedicated space provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary artistic practice, with pieces spanning various media and styles. It's an essential visit for anyone interested in what's happening in today's art world.

The Scream by Edvard Munch (1893 / 1910)

The Nasjonalmuseet houses one of the earliest versions of Edvard Munch's The Scream, displayed in its own gallery alongside other masterworks including Madonna, Girls on a Jetty, The Dance of Life and The Sick Child. Created in 1893 using mixed media—oil, tempera and pastel on cardboard (91 × 73.5 cm)—the painting depicts an androgynous figure gripped by existential anguish, set against a view of Oslo seen from Ekeberg hill. Essential to visit for anyone interested in modern art and early Expressionism.

Baldishol Tapestry (12th century)

The Baldishol Tapestry, held at the Nasjonalmuseet, is one of the museum's most remarkable possessions. Woven from wool and linen between 1150 and 1190, this 12th-century textile was discovered in 1879 beneath the floorboards of Baldishol Church in Nes, near Lake Mjøsa. Virtually unique in Scandinavia and extraordinarily rare across Europe, it offers a fascinating glimpse into medieval craftsmanship. The two surviving fragments depict figures representing April and May, fragments of what was originally an extensive annual calendar tapestry. What to see here is a remarkable example of preserved medieval textile art.