Choice of design and artist

Below you can read about the process of selecting designs for the new banknote series and the competition among the eight artists invited to participate.

In 2006, Danmarks Nationalbank decided that Denmark needed a new banknote series. This was because technological advances were providing counterfeiters with better tools for copying authentic banknotes, and Danmarks Nationalbank wanted to foil their plans by incorporating new security features in the new banknote series. The banknotes were to be of the same size and signature colours as the existing series, with the theme of bridges and landscapes near the bridges or details from these landscapes. This decision was made after Danmarks Nationalbank had invited e.g. historians, architects, designers and artists to voice their thoughts on the new Danish banknote series at a special forum.

Eight artists were then selected to present their designs for the new series. From these eight artists, Kaspar Bonnén and Karin Birgitte Lund were shortlisted to further develop their draft proposals. Karin Birgitte Lund's proposal won. She chose to interpret the theme of landscapes near the bridges as prehistoric finds made in the landscapes surrounding the bridges. In that way she shows how the bridges link both the parts of the country and the past and present.

During the process, all the draft proposals were exhibited in Danmarks Nationalbank lobby and were later featured in a large exhibition entitled "Pengenes kunst" (the art of money) in Køge in the summer of 2007.

The designs for the banknotes were then finalised in cooperation between Danmarks Nationalbank's Banknote Printing Works and Karin Birgitte Lund.
According to the Danmarks Nationalbank Act, the governors of Danmarks Nationalbank determine the appearance of Danish banknotes. The values and appearance of the banknotes are then approved by the Royal Bank Commissioner (Minister for Economic and Business Affairs).