Off to Denmark! A Visit to the David Collection in Copenhagen

A travelogue by Franziska Kabelitz

On January 17, 2025, an FMIK group visited the David Collection in Copenhagen. During two wonderful and enlightening tours, museum director Dr. Joachim Meyer and curator Dr. Rasmus Bech Olsen kindly took time to share insights into the permanent and special exhibitions.
Our group arrived at the museum on a crisp morning, eager to explore the renowned collections of the house. Following a warm welcome and brief introduction to the history and significance of the collections, Dr. Meyer guided our group through the permanent exhibition of the collection of Islamic art – a fascinating experience! Not only does the collection preserve a wide range of stunning pieces, but the exhibition design and well-structured presentation of numerous objects in a relatively small gallery space also left lasting impressions. By highlighting aspects of collection history and numerous examples of intercultural and technological exchange that shaped production and reception contexts over centuries, Dr. Meyer’s explanations added valuable depth to our experience.

A personal highlight of the exhibition tour was the presentation of a striking trio of objects near the beginning: a silk fabric fragment from 7th to 8th century Central Asia, an 8th-century Qur’anic manuscript page on parchment from Syria, and a cloth woven from wool and horsehair, made in Egypt or Syria in the late 7th or early 8th century. On the basis of these examples, Dr. Meyer illustrated how certain shapes and design elements transcended materials and geographic regions. As my own research has focused on illumination patterns in early Qur’anic manuscripts, I found the curatorial approach in this gallery corner particularly compelling.

One of the day’s most rewarding moments was our visit to the temporary exhibition Beyond Words – Calligraphy from the World of Islam, which unfortunately closed on January 26. Featuring 128 works from the David Collection as well as loans from various Danish institutions, curator Dr. Rasmus Bech Olsen explored the role and significance of calligraphy within Islamic traditions. We closely examined a variety of scripts and the uses of calligraphy from everyday objects to monumental architectural complexes. Additionally, Dr. Bech Olsen provided a fascinating overview of the development of Arabic script and the role of calligraphy in a Qur’anic context. This special exhibition was curated by Peter Wandel, Rasmus Bech Olsen, and Joachim Meyer. The accompanying publication will soon be available for consultation at the Museum of Islamic Art’s research library in Berlin:
Joachim Meyer, Rasmus Bech Olsen, Peter Wandel (eds.): Beyond Words. Calligraphy from the World of Islam. Strandberg Publishing, 2024. ISBN 978-87-94418-03-4

At the end of the day, our group gathered for a cozy dinner for reflection. The visit to the David Collection constituted an enriching journey through history—not only of Muslim-majority geographies but also of Copenhagen! The lively storytelling of both experts and their personal perspectives on collection and archival work deepened our understanding of the craftsmanship and cultural significance of the works we encountered. Moreover, we gained valuable insights into current academic and museological discourse on the field of Islamic art. Moments also arose that were linked to the Berlin collection, providing opportunities for discussion and exchange.