Børsen fire: What historic paintings were in Denmark’s stock exchange and which ones were saved from the fire?

While fire fighters are battling to control the blaze which has ravaged Copenhagen’s historic Børsen stock exchange, members of staff have been helped by passers-by in a bid to rescue as much of the buildings priceless art treasures as possible. Shortly after 8 a.m. local time, police and rescue services were alerted of a fire breaking out at the 399-year-old, Dutch Renaissance-style building which was constructed during Christian IV’s reign from 1619–40. Pictures and video footage shared on social media showed people carrying large paintings away from the blazing building as plumes of black smoke billowed and horrified onlookers watched in disbelief.

Danish Chamber of Commerce CEO Brian Mikkelsen was believed to have been one of those who helped to carry paintings out of the blazing building. Another, included a man on his way to work who jumped off his bike to help in the rescue operation.

Priceless 19th Century artwork saved from Denmark’s stock exchange

The building, which is located in the heart of Copenhagen, next to Christiansborg Palace, contained numerous historic art pieces including paintings and sculptures. Among them was Peder Severin Krøyer’s 1895 oil painting Fra Kjøbenhavns Børs (’From Copenhagen Stock Exchange’), a large group portrait measuring 254 cm × 409 cm which depicts 50 representatives of the Danish commercial and financial industries gathered in the Børsen’s Great Hall. Among the figures in the painting is businessman CF Tietgen, founder of Privatbanken, shipyard and diesel engine company Burmeister & Wain and sugar manufacturing company De Danske Sukkerfabrikker.

Severin Krøyer’s oil on canvas painting, which hung in the Børsen’s library, is believed to be one of the works which was saved - it was seen being carefully carried away from the building by six people and is reportedly undamaged.

Other works which are known to have been on display in the great hall were four charcoal on paper drawings: Fliden, Klogskaben, Modet and Retfærdigheden by Danish artist Lorenz Frølich from 1857.

The Børsen was home to a large number of portraits and paintings by revered Danish artists including works by Christian Faedder Høyer.

Copenhagen Police (Københavns Politi) said on X (formerly Twitter): “We are now in the process of evacuating the buildings from the Ministry of Finance and down towards the water. Work continues to reroute the traffic around Slotsholmen. We urge people to stay away from the area. Unnecessary exits in the inner city are discouraged due to massive traffic challenges We currently have no time horizon”