Art Exhibitions in Uppsala

At Museum Gustavianum, you can experience one of the country’s largest art collections up close. On the second floor, a rich selection of masterpieces from the Middle Ages through the 20th century is on display, including the famous Augsburg Art Cabinet, donated to Gustav II Adolf in 1632.

In the temporary exhibition called Se på mig! (“Look at Me!”) you can immerse yourself in the fascinating world of portraiture until January 2026. The exhibition explores how portraits have been used to create and preserve memories, as well as to express personal and cultural identity. Here, individuals from across centuries step forward – children, men, women, and even a beloved dog!

The exhibition The Dream of China runs throughout the spring and explores how an idealised image of China spread across Europe in the 18th century – a harmonious realm that captivated artists, scientists and collectors alike. Through images, texts and Chinese objects from the collections of Uppsala University and the Swedish Linnaeus Society, the exhibition brings the era’s perceptions to life. A reflective and visually rich insight into Europe’s gaze towards the East.

Uppsala Art Museum is located in the city’s pink castle and holds a collection of more than 14,000 objects. The permanent exhibitions include prints, ceramics, and art-historical artifacts, complemented by exciting new works from young artists.

Within the castle’s historic rooms, two of the 16th century’s most fascinating queens step into the spotlight once more. The exhibition Queens brings forward the stories of Catherine Jagiellon and Barbara Radziwiłł – women who lived at the very heart of power, yet have often been written out of history.

Through unique objects, garments, jewellery and portraits from Swedish and international museums, we encounter their lives, their era and their influence. The exhibition is interwoven with works by contemporary artists that reflect themes of female power, faith, emotion and identity – in early modern Europe and in our own time.

That the exhibition is shown at Uppsala Castle – where Catherine Jagiellon herself once lived – lends the experience an added sense of historical resonance.

Don’t miss the museum’s popular Art Nights, when the doors stay open late on Thursdays, offering concerts, workshops, and sometimes even the chance to create art yourself.