Latvian National Museum of Art

Latvijas Nacionālais mākslas muzejs

The Latvian National Museum of Art is the largest depository of national art in Latvia. The museum’s collection is made up of nearly 100,000 units, which is located in 5 buildings of LNMM: Main building of Latvian National Museum of Art, Exhibition Hall "Arsenāls", Museum of Romans Suta and Aleksandra Beļcova, Museum of Design and Decorative Arts, Art Museum "Riga Bourse".

The main building of the Latvian National Museum of Art in Krišjāņa Valdemāra Street is one of the most impressive in the Park and Boulevard Circle area of Riga. It was designed by the museum’s first director, the Baltic German architect and art historian Wilhelm Neumann and built in 1905. The structure, as well as the parameters of the exhibition rooms, corresponded to the level of requirementsrequired standard for an art museum in the Europe of at the previous turn of the centuriescentury. The majestic façade is designed in the baroque and classicist styles; the sculptural group of the central fronton was created by the sculptor August Volz. The interior of the building – in the lobby and the ornaments of the staircase banister – feature elements of Art Nouveau. The top-floor lobby is adorned by with six decorative semi-circle circular paintings by the great Latvian painter Vilhelms Purvītis and the a master of Estonian classical art Gerhard von Rosen.

The building is a listed architectural landmark of national significance. Reconstruction and restoration work is scheduled in the foreseeable future.

The permanent exhibitions of the museum trace the development of professional art in the Baltic region and Latvia from the mid-1700s to the present day, as well as feature featuring a number of significant episodes periods in the Russian art of from the 18th century – to the first half of the 20th century. The Russian art collection of the Latvian National Museum of Art is the richest in the Baltic countries.

The Latvian National Museum of Art regularly holds art exhibitions and scientific conferences, as well as diverse art and culture cultural events, takes part in international projects, as well as compiles compiling and editising museum publications.

Alongside the permanent and temporary exhibitions, the Latvian National Museum of Art is known for its educational projects. Visitors are offered specialist-guided tours and educational programmes.

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