The Human Spirit: Past – Present – Future by Leifur Breiðfjörð (1945- ).
Stained glass work made for the occasion of the opening of the Library in the new building 1994. „This work depicts three Heads. The one on the left represents the Past, with text from old Icelandic manuscripts, The center one shows the Present, with text under a computer sign. The one on the right shows the Future, an unwritten sheet."
Jón Árnason 1819, by Helgi Gíslason (1947- ).
Bas-relief of Jón Árnason National Librarian and collector of Icelandic folk legends. The work was unveiled on September 7, 2020 when it was commemorated that 200 years had passed since the birth of Jón.
Untitled stained glass work by Gunnlaugur S. E. Briem (1948- ).
Hanging panel, the artist´s representation of a text in an illuminated medieval manuscript. The characters, designed by the artist, are made of gold. The text is taken from Icelandic Folktales and Legends compiled by Jón Árnason. Made for the occasion of the opening of the Library in the new building in 1994.
Untitled abstract painting by Kristján Davíðsson (1917-2013).
Created for the occasion of the opening of The National and University Library in 1994.
Words and Space, 1977, a tapestry by the Norwegian artist, Synnöve Anker Aurdal.
A gift from the Norwegian nation on the occasion of the planned amalgamation of the two libraries in 1974.
The artist´s intention was to show the sea between the two countries, its waves and its magic, and also to point out the literary connections between Iceland and Norway. Quotations from literature of both countries are woven into the tapestry.
The quotations are:
Heilög vötn hlóa (Grímnismál)
Og fegurðin mun ríkja ein (Heimsljós)
Vi går og göymer bort ein gud som gneistar gjennom alt (Tor Jonsson)
Maður er manns gaman (Hávamál)
Silfra by Helgi Gíslason (1947- ).
Metal sculpture named after a rift in Thingvellir placed in the gateway to the library. The work is from 1992 and was a gift to the National and University Library from The University of Iceland in 1994.
Eylenda Musings, work by the American artist, Jean Larson (1955- ).
Larson had an exhibition in the library in 2012. This work is based on photos which are taken in the Western fjords in Iceland.