Latvian Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, Art museum in Old Town, Riga, Latvia.
The Latvian Museum of Decorative Arts and Design occupies a former church building in central Riga, showcasing textiles, ceramics, metalwork, and contemporary design objects. The permanent display spans seven distinct collections covering applied arts including textile work, ceramics, metalwork, leather goods, woodworking, glasswork, and design.
The museum was founded in 1989 within St. George's Church, one of Riga's oldest surviving stone structures dating to the 15th century. It traces the evolution of Latvian applied arts from the early 20th century to the present day.
The collection features works by artists such as Romans Suta and Aleksandra Beļcova, who wove traditional Latvian folk patterns into their modern designs. These creations continue to shape how people understand Latvian design and craftsmanship today.
The museum is open from Tuesday through Sunday, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace across the displays. The collections are distributed across multiple floors, so plan for adequate time to visit all sections.
The Baltars ceramics workshop, founded by artists like Romans Suta, experimented with innovative painting techniques and transformed Latvian ceramic art during the interwar period. Their works combine craft skill with modern artistic vision and remain centerpieces of the collection today.
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