Past

Mykolas Žilinskas (1904–1992) was one of the most enigmatic figures and the leading art collector in 20th-century Lithuanian cultural history. Žilinskas, an émigré in West Berlin, amassed a collection of more than 1,600 works. He donated them to his country of birth, expressing his wish to strengthen the Lithuanian national spirit. Old Masters’ paintings, historical decorative arts and works by contemporary artists make up the best of the collection.

The exhibition offers an opportunity to explore the works of many Estonian artists, from established greats to the emerging talents of the youngest generation.

The exhibition, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ülo Sooster, an inimitably playful creator and a significant reformer of Estonian post-war modernism, displays works that belong to private collections.

The exhibition introduces members of the Kügelgen family, who played a significant role in the cultural history of Estonia. The display includes works of art created by the Kügelgens and everyday objects associated with the family. The majority of the exhibits belong to the private collection of the Kügelgen family. Tallinn is the third city, after Lüneburg and Dresden, where this exhibition has been held.

US cultural historian R. Paul Firnhaber, stands out among Estonia-based collectors with his unique collection of art and photography. This exhibition presents part of this collection: caricatures and cartoons by Honoré Daumier.

The art collection of Tiit Pruuli, a passionate sailor and globetrotter, focuses on classic seascapes and the relationship between the sea and people. This is the first time that the collection has been introduced to a wider audience. The exhibition explores marine art in Estonia from the late 19th century until the present.

The exhibition at the Mikkel Museum shows the part of Rubinstein’s collection inherited by Yakov Rubinstein’s granddaughter Tanya Rubinstein-Horowitz.

This exhibition introduces unexhibited paintings from almost all of the artist’s creative periods, which supplement our understanding of Mägi’s heritage.

Johann Karl Simon Morgenstern (1770–1852) was a professor at the University of Tartu after its reopening in 1802. He was the founder of the library and art museum of the university and a remarkable art collector. He bequeathed his collection to the university. This exhibition showcases the prints and engraved gems from the collection, highlighting the main themes of his collection and the scholar’s wide sphere of interest.

Jüri Arraku varane looming

The exhibition showcases the collection of the Värnik family, the core of which is made up of landscapes by authors linked to the Pallas Art School.

The exhibition focusses on one of the largest private art collections in Estonia and on its owner, Mart Lepp.

The exhibition is dedicated to the art collector Alfred Rõude (1896–1968), whose mission included systematically collecting the best of Estonian contemporary art.