...The Nyhavn Room
Hans Christian Andersen lived in the apartment in Nyhavn 18 from October 23 1871, until he on June 12 moved to the Melchior Familys country house “Rolighed” as a guest confined to his sickbed. There he was affectionately nursed, until he on August 4 died of cancer of the liver. Until 1873 his hostess in Nyhavn was Thora Hallager (1821-84), Denmark’s first professional female photographer, who is shown here on the picture. From 1873 and on the hostess was Miss Clara Ballin (1824-87).
...The poet very much disliked committing himself to wordly goods
“I am afraid of buying even bed and furniture. Think about how much I would have to move when once in a while I should like to come out and breathe the 'world’s air'”, Hans Christian Andersen wrote in 1866 before he – contrary to his usual practice – rented a unfurnished room.
See the objects in the Nyhavn Room
The Nyhavn room is a reconstruction of the study in Nyhavn 18 in Copenhagen.
The Nyhavn room in The Hans Christian Andersen Museum
In the Hans Christian Andersen Museum you will also find a reconstruction of the author's study from his last apartment in Nyhavn 18, 1. floor. The reconstruction consists of nothing but original objects which have been Hans Christian Andersen own possessions. It has been possible to remake the room with great accuracy on account of five photographs from 1874, depicting the poet sitting at different places in that room.
Here a number of the poet's personal belongings are collected at one place. Click here to look closer at each of the exhibits and read about their history.