Rasmus Meyer, Kode

Rasmus Meyer is KODE 3, an art museum on Rasmus Meyers allé beside Lille Lungegårdsvann in central Bergen. Its collection centres on Norwegian art from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with paintings by Edvard Munch and Norwegian landscape artists. Look for works by Johan Christian Dahl and the rooms’ decorative heaters, then read the English notes for context. One ticket covers the KODE buildings for two consecutive days, so you can spread your museum visits across more than one stop.

A collection built around Norwegian art

Rasmus Meyer takes its name from the Bergen businessman who assembled the collection. The museum occupies KODE 3, one of four KODE buildings in the city centre beside Lille Lungegårdsvann. The collection follows Norwegian art through the period from 1880 to 1905 and onward to 1920, with paintings by artists including Edvard Munch and Johan Christian Dahl.

Munch’s work is a major part of the collection, which is described as the world’s third largest collection of his art. The famous painting The Scream is not here. A small woodcut depicting its face is part of the collection, but the painting itself is held at Oslo’s National Museum.

Landscapes, portraits and unexpected details

Norwegian nature appears in paintings by artists from different periods, giving the galleries a strong sense of place. Works by Johan Christian Dahl are a particular draw; one notable painting is View of Dresden by Moonlight. The collection also includes portraits and Norwegian Impressionist works, placing local artists in the wider history of European art.

Look beyond the paintings as you move through the rooms. Decorative heaters add an unusual detail to the interiors, and the collection includes Art Nouveau works that reflect artistic influences from outside Norway. The museum is relatively compact, so these details are easy to notice during a short visit.