Unlock the secrets of the Latvian National museum of art
Explore the hidden gems of the Latvian National Museum of Art building
Museum's History 1Latvian National Museum of Art
1816
The idea of the necessity of an art museum in Riga originated in 1816, when an art cabinet was set up in the premises of the city library.
Museum's History 3Latvian National Museum of Art
1903
On May 10, 1903, almost an entire century later, the foundations were laid for the Riga City Museum of Art.
Hall No 7 3Latvian National Museum of Art
1915-1917
For two years (1915-1917) the museum was near the front line. Considering the proximity of the front line the museum had to comply with the order to evacuate 59 exhibits to Moscow.
Hall No 7 2Latvian National Museum of Art
The museum's visitor numbers decreased sharply. Most of the visitors were soldiers.
Museum's Marble Stairs 2Latvian National Museum of Art
The marble stairs
The majestic marble stairs having served the public for more than 100 years and their monumental image has not changed over time.
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The 2nd floor lobby
The 2nd Floor Lobby of the Latvian National Museum of Art is one of the symbols of the building.
Stairs Railing Decorations 3Latvian National Museum of Art
Stair railing decorations
Wilhelm Neumann was striving for perfection, carefully considering and giving reasons for each tiniest detail.
Stairs Railing Decorations 1Latvian National Museum of Art
Railing sketches
There are countless sketches, and they are drawn on various pieces of paper, even on the inside of an envelope of a letter addressed to the architect.
Stairs Railing Decorations 2Latvian National Museum of Art
Railing decorations
The artist envisioned the museum as a temple of all Muses – majestic and solemn.
Stenciled Wall PaintingsLatvian National Museum of Art
Stencilled wall paintings
Wilhelm Neumann strove to follow neo-baroque principles of display design, which required that the walls of the exposition should be covered with ornamental fabrics, but the available means determined more restrained interiors.
LibraryLatvian National Museum of Art
The library
The Library of the Latvian National Museum of Art was established in 1905. The library holds nearly 30 000 books.
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3rd floor lobby
It was planned that the museum's plafond will be decorated by a painting personifying Riga and the creation of the plan of the temple of the Muses.
3rd Floor Lobby 1Latvian National Museum of Art
3rd floor lobby
The sources of the author's inspiration are to be found in Baroque art.
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Cupola
The visitors have access to the museum's attic and cupola space, where the small exhibition halls are located and the historical wooden constructions have been renovated.
Cupola 2Latvian National Museum of Art
Cupola
Discover how the museum's attic looked before the reconstruction!
Exhibition Halls on 4th floor 2Latvian National Museum of Art
Exhibition halls on 4th floor
As early as 1929, the director of LNMA at the time Vilhelms Purvītis wrote to the Riga City Council about the acute necessity to expand the museum, but the Council's decision was negative.
Exhibition Halls on 4th floor 1Latvian National Museum of Art
Exhibition halls on 4th floor
Only after many years, in 2010, the Riga City Council took the decision on the reconstruction.
Cargo Lift 2Latvian National Museum of Art
Cargo lift
The cargo lift considerably simplifies the transportation of heavy sculptures and other large-format works.
Collections by Normunds BrasliņšLatvian National Museum of Art
Painting storage
On the way to the exhibition hall, the museum visitors have the opportunity to see the storage of Latvian painting (more than 4 000 artworks).
