Treasury
Classics of Estonian Art from the Beginning of the 18th Century until the End of the Second World War.
3rd floor, A-wing
The rooms of permanent exhibition are filled with the early classics of Estonian art from the 18th century until the end of the Second World War. As the exhibition moves from one topic to another - from a work of an anonymous Baltic-German portrait artist to Johann Köler, Kristjan Raud and Konrad Mägi, and on to the Group of Estonian Artists, Pallas School - a visitor can also detect cultural processes characteristic to Western Europe. The exhibition tracks down changes in the Estonian mentality as well as in art styles. It consists of both masterpieces that already have established a place in the collective memory of Estonians and works that have until now been waiting in the depositories to be displayed.
Difficult Choices
Estonian Art from the End of the Second World War Until Re-Independence.
4th floor, A-wing
The third floor has been occupied by art from the second half of the 20th century. This period was characterised by dramatic changes within the society. Art is one of the best and most accurate means to reflect these changes as it has the exceptional ability to display events, draw conclusions and express either approval or consent at the same time.
This floor deals in depth with the relationship between the Soviet state and art. This relationship is most vividly present in the display of post-war socialist realism. In the introduction of artistic styles and movements that follows, the exhibition discusses different artistic phenomena that took place in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s (modernism, pop art, hyper realism, etc.). The exhibition also takes under consideration the developments in national landscapists´ school and graphics.
