Einar Jónsson (1874–1954) is one of Iceland’s foremost sculptors, famous for intense symbolist works. Chiselled representations of Hope, Earth and Death burst from basalt cliffs, weep over naked women and slay dragons. Jónsson designed the building, which was built between 1916 and 1923, when this hill was on the outskirts of town. It also contains his austere penthouse flat and studio, with views over the city.

The sculpture garden behind the museum contains 26 bronzes, in the shadow of Hallgrímskirkja.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden

0.02 MILES

The garden behind the Einar Jónsson Museum contains 26 bronze casts of Iceland's first sculptor, the symbolist Einar Jónsson.

2. Leifur Eiríksson Statue

0.06 MILES

Gazing proudly into the distance outside Hallgrímskirkja church is a statue of the Viking Leifur Eiríksson, the first European to stumble across America…

3. Hallgrímskirkja

0.06 MILES

Reykjavík’s immense white-concrete church (1945–86), star of a thousand postcards, dominates the skyline and is visible from up to 20km away. An elevator…

4. Ásgrímur Jónsson Collection

0.18 MILES

Iceland's first professional painter, Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876–1958) was the son of a farmer. He lived and worked here, and you can visit his former atelier…

5. Ekkisens – Art Space

0.21 MILES

Artist-run and housed in a former basement apartment, this gallery features up-and-coming Icelandic artists.

6. National Gallery of Iceland

0.34 MILES

This pretty stack of marble atriums and spacious galleries overlooking Tjörnin offers ever-changing exhibits drawn from a 10,000-piece collection. The…

8. Tales from Iceland

0.36 MILES

A total of 14 large flat-screens cover the walls in this vast two-storey exhibition hall. Each screen presents a three- to four-minute documentary,…