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 Dresden State Art Collections and the Art Museum of Estonia present an ambitious collaborative exhibition exploring the intersections of Estonian and German/Saxon art in history and currently.

The new permanent exhibition highlights the versatility of the artist as a delicate painter, as well as a renowned creator of applied art who revealed the richness of his ideas and dynamic movement between various fields of art.

Kas oled kunagi mõelnud, et kunstimuuseum võib olla palju rohkem vaiksed saalid täis pilte? Tere tulemast Kumu noorteklubisse, kus kunst elab ja hingab iga meie tegevuse kaudu!

The permanent exhibition, launched in 2021, tells the story of Estonian art as it evolved through Estonia’s multi-ethnic history, growing into a heritage that blends Estonian, Baltic German and Russian traditions.

The collection in the Niguliste Museum holds the most remarkable and valuable part of the medieval and early modern ecclesiastical art of Estonia. Most of the works of art in the Niguliste Museum’s collection originate from the church itself and have been displayed in their former locations.