THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Centre in Reykjavík in Reykjavíkurborg, Höfuðborgarsvæðið, Iceland — North Atlantic and Artic Oceans (a Nordic Island)
 

Austurstræti 12

 
 
Austurstræti 12 Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2017
1. Austurstræti 12 Marker
Inscription.  
Húsið reisti Stefán Gunnarsson skókaupmaður 1928 eftir teikningum Péturs Ingimundarsonar byggingameistara. Jóhannes Kjarval listmálari hafði vinnustofu sína á efstu hæð hússins frá 1929. Á veggi vimustofu og íbúðar málaði hann Lífshlaupið árið 1933, eitt af þekkustu verkum sínum. Veggmyndirnar voru síðar fjarlægðar, gert var við þær og þær eru nú í vörslu Gerðarsafns.

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(English translation:) The house was built by Stefán Gunnarsson, a shoe merchant, in 1928, according to drawings by architect Peter Ingimundarson. The painter Johannes Kjarval had his studio on the top floor of the house from 1929. On the walls of his studio and apartment he painted the Lífshlaupið (Life Course) in 1933, one of his best-known works. The murals were later removed and repaired, and are now in the custody of the Museum.
 
Erected 2012 by Reitir.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, MusicNotable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
 
Location. 64° 8.858′ N, 21° 56.355′ W. Marker is in Reykjavík, Capital Region (Höfuðborgarsvæðið), in Reykjavíkurborg.
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It is in Centre. It is on Austurstræti just west of Pósthússtræti, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Austurstræti 12, Reykjavík, Capital Region 101, Iceland. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, on the Atlantic Arc, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, in the Nordic Countries, in the Schengen Area, in the Western Hemisphere, and in the Western World.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Austurstræti 8 (here, next to this marker); Austurstræti 12A (a few steps from this marker); Austurstræti 14 (within shouting distance of this marker); Málfríður Einarsdóttir (within shouting distance of this marker); Svava Jakobsdóttir (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Hressingarskálinn (about 90 meters away); Ingibjörg H. Bjarnason (about 90 meters away); Adlon (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reykjavík.
 
Austurstræti 12 and Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 8, 2017
2. Austurstræti 12 and Marker
The building is now an English pub.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 485 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on February 3, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
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Sep. 20, 2026