The permanent exhibition in the main building of the Latvian National Museum of Art shows the richness of the museum's collection, the history of its formation as well as the most outstanding achievements of national art from the end of the 18th century to the end of the 20th century.
World War I brought difficult challenges for the Latvian people, which inspired a strong wave of national self-consciousness in artists. Jāzeps Grosvalds was the first to take up the pressing subject of refugees and riflemen in painting. Jēkabs Kazaks, who was significantly influenced by contemporary French painting, also turned to depiction of the dramatic historical events.
During World War I, many Latvian artists ended up in Russia, but most returned to Latvia following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Latvian artists – Gustavs Klucis, Kārlis Johansons and Aleksandrs Drēviņš – chose to stay in Soviet Russia and to take part in the formation of Russian avant-garde art.
Exhibition, Dismantling the Wall. Latvian Art 1985–1991, is on display in the left wing halls of the 2nd floor of the main building of the Latvian National Museum of Art in Riga (Jaņa Rozentāla laukums 1), which tells about the processes in Latvian contemporary art during the period of socio-political change.
From 19 February 2022, the new permanent exhibition 12 Photographers / 125 Photographs / 10 Series is open to the public in four small cabinets in the right wing of the 2nd floor of the main building of the Latvian National Museum of Art in Riga (Jaņa Rozentāla laukums 1).
For a large part of society, life in the 21st-century is characterized by digital events and content consumption in the digital environment, as well as regular anxiety, exhaustion, homogenous sensory experience, or routine. The Route of Wellbeing is an invitation to explore the art museum in a more personal way, enjoy time alone in the peaceful environment of art, and experience an alternative adventure of the senses, promoting mindfulness and mental well-being.
Latvian National Museum of Art offers the easiest way to explore classic highlights, and discover fresh perspectives on the permanent collection and discover the museum's unique architecture of the building.
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