22 February 2025–18 January 2026
Ruined cities, violent volcanic eruptions and melting glaciers. Throughout history, artists have been fascinated by catastrophes, from biblical accounts of the Last Judgement to the present era’s anxiety over war, climate change and AI. We invite you to experience five centuries of dramatic doom’s day art.
The threat of doom and an apocalyptic mood characterize our internet-based, medialized era, but the fear of annihilation is not a new phenomenon. Doom’s day prophecies, in various forms, are a part of human history.
The exhibition Apocalypse: From Last Judgement to Climate Threat takes the viewer on a journey through end-of-the-world fantasies, prophecies, dystopian critique of society – and magnificent artworks oozing of angst and creative desire. Featuring a broad selection of paintings, sculptures, video works and prints in a dramatic setting, it presents the art history of doom from the Renaissance until today.
Renaissance and Baroque depictions of the Last Judgement are shown alongside evocative Romantic scenes of destruction, the ominous images of Symbolism, modern dystopias and science fiction. In the exhibition, you will also find contemporary works treating subjects such as the climate crisis, the threat of war, the accelerating technological development and AI. The focus lies on Western art, with a special emphasis on the Nordic countries and Europe.
Collection meets Contemporary
Remarkable artworks from the Museum’s own collection meet contemporary art and significant loans from European museums, including works by the Romantic artists Johan Christian Dahl and John Martin, the Symbolists Ferdinand Hodler and Evelyn De Morgan, and international stars such as Georg Baselitz and Anselm Kiefer. Contemporary artists like Anna von Hausswolff, IC-98 and Cajsa von Zeipel are represented with audio works, videos and sculptures.
Visions of a New Era
The art history of doom is far from pitch black – there are also glimpses of light. The exhibition includes post-apocalyptic, brighter future worlds and visions of a new era. In the creative desire triggered by the notion of the end of the world, one also finds hope for a more humane world, something to cling to in troubled times.
We invite you to be entertained and troubled by five centuries of dramatic doomsday art!
In conjunction with the exhibition, we produce a comprehensive catalogue with newly written essays by numerous researchers and writers who provide different perspectives on the theme, as it is expressed in art, literature, film and computer games, among other media.
The exhibition is a part of Riksbankens Jubileumsfond’s research-facilitating project RJ Art and Culture, with the aim to make the humanities and social sciences more accessible to a broader public. Specifically, the theme of the exhibition project is based on two research projects within the history of ideas.
Image: John Martin, The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum, Tabley House Collection.