Task-wise, research-wise and mediation-wise, the entire institution of The Latvian Museum of Art operates in a similar fashion to every other museum which is designated for the collection, preservation and research of national art. The distinction lies mainly in the institution’s rejection of the restructuring policy followed by many other contemporary museums; one that is geared toward visitor entertainment and swelling attendance numbers.

This historic style building was constructed in 1905 to be the premiere museum in the Baltics. It was built more for the symbolic sake of having a museum as such, than for the need to house a particular collection. It is maybe because of this that the ambience in the exhibition halls is defined by an awkward coexistence between architecture and art works.

The main collection is comprised of Latvian Art from the 19th to the mid-20th century. Amongst others, it contains works by the Riga Artists’ Group, which was influenced by the ideals of Parisian Avant-Garde of the 20’s and the contributing L’Esprit Nouveau Magazine. This collection also shows the constructivist artist Gustavs Klucis’ graphic works. EI, 2009