Unicorn in the Magical Forest 06/09/2024 – 06/04/2025

The unicorn is a magical creature from fairy tales who has been with us for thousands of years. Today it belongs to the world of fantasy and popular culture, but a few hundred years ago people believed that it truly existed. What is the unicorn, really, and what does it look like? Is it a proud white horse with a flowing mane and a spiral-shaped horn or a small purple pony with wings?

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We encounter unicorns in ancient myths, medieval literature and art, in royal court ceremonies of the 16th and 17th centuries and in the contemporary world. Unicorns are always associated with magic and mystery. This wondrous creature with a horn was first mentioned in written history more than two thousand and five hundred years ago. A wild horned animal mentioned in the Old Testament was translated and accepted as a unicorn and it was considered the very first animal God ever created. The unicorn was described as a courageous, wild and noble creature, viewed as a symbol of Christ. It was also compared to a brave knight, true to its beloved, yet merciless to its enemy. The magic of the unicorn was in the horn, which became one of the most sought after magical objects. Due to the legend about hunting a unicorn, it came to epitomise a being quite wondrous and inaccessible. According to legend, only a virgin could catch a unicorn and it was possible to kill the animal but never tame it. It held a central place in the popular Early Christian compilation Physiologus, which discusses animals as bearers of Christian morality. From there the wonderful animal made its way into nearly all medieval bestiaries, as well as scientific and theological writings. Thus the unicorn became a part of the collective subconscious of the Christian world and people believed in its existence until the Early Modern Period.

The exhibition, born in cooperation between the National Historical Museums in Sweden, the Swedish Royal Armoury and different Estonian museums and private collections, examines the meaning of the unicorn through history and shows unicorns on objects and works of art from the 16th to the 21st century. The works from the Estonian collections introduce the local presence and significance of the unicorn. Rare Early Modern Period royal artefacts from the Swedish Royal Armoury reveal the symbolic meaning and use of images of the unicorn during the period when the kings of Sweden ruled over Estonia and Livonia. However, the mythical beast not only existed in the ecclesiastical and courtly world: the unicorn was equally loved by scholars, soldiers, townspeople and peasants. Therefore, we encounter it on colourful embroidery, metal- and woodwork, weapons and in scholarly writing of the time. Unicorns are presented in both symbolic and modern works of art. The unicorn has acquired new layers of meaning, featuring as a character in fantasy literature and children’s animations, symbolising freedom and love in the LGBTQ community and standing for successful start-ups valued at over a billion dollars.

Does this magnificent and elusive beast truly exist or does it live in the world of imagination? Does it even matter? Even if unicorns live only in our dreams, they are extraordinary creatures loaded with symbolic power. They are real for all of those who believe in them. This is what the unicorn told Alice in the world beyond the looking-glass, “If you believe in me, then I’ll believe in you”.

Welcome to the unicorn’s magical forest!

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Public Programme

The unicorns are inviting people of all ages to join them in their magical forest! The exhibition is accompanied by a number of different events introducing the wondrous world of unicorns from the beginning of time till today. Besides the traditional opening and closing programmes, events for families and curator tours will take place. Workshops will focus on unicorns ranging from the scientific perspective to handicrafts. A series of lectures starting in late autumn will present topics ranging from the Early Modern Period rulers of Sweden to fantasy literature. The exhibition also includes educational programmes and days of enhanced study for upper secondary school students. More information on all of the events is available on our web page in the events’ calendar, which is regularly updated.

The exhibition can be viewed on the two floors of the Small Chapel and in the chancel. The second floor is accessible by stairs in the wall next to the Silver Chamber. The area for the activities is open in the chancel. The catalogue of the exhibition will be published in the near future.

The exhibition was co-organised by the Art Museum of Estonia, the Royal Armoury of Sweden and the National Historical Museums of Sweden. The exhibition was inspired by the Royal Armoury of Sweden´s family exhibition Unicorns. If you believe me, I believe you (29.10.2022–07.04.2024), curated by Pia Bengtsson Melin and Andreas Olsson.

Team

Curators: Merike Kurisoo (Art Museum of Estonia), Pia Bengtsson Melin (National Historical Museums of Sweden)
Exhibition design: Mae Kivilo
Graphic design: Külli Kaats
Installation manager: Tõnis Medri
Public and educational programmes: Merike Kurisoo, Külli Kõiv, Annika Teras
Design of the magical garden: Mae Kivilo, Karmen Haiba
Coordinators: Merike Kurisoo, Laura Tahk, Helen Volber, Annika Teras

Exhibition team:
Andres Aamos, Isabel Aaso-Zahradnikova, Richard Adang, Karmen Haiba, Siim Hiis, Kaarel Eelma, Hedi Kard, Klaire Kolmann, Marju Kubre, Külli Kõiv, Tambet Kütt, Inger Olovsson, Andreas Olsson, Kaisa-Piia Pedajas, Augusta Persson, Jaana Ratas, Kadi Raudalainen, Renita Raudsepp, Tarmo Saaret, Laura Tahk, Annika Teras, Helen Volber

We thank:
Piia Ausman, Malin Grundberg, Kristiina Hiiesalu, Darja Jefimova, Greta Koppel, Theodora Kormpaki, Kalle Laasberg, Aet ja Jüri Kuuskemaa, Kalmer Mäeorg, Kärt Ojavee, Risto Paju, Marju Raabe, Moonika Teemus, Arho Tuhkru

The works are from the following collections:
Art Museum of Estonia, EELC Lääne-Nigula congregation, Estonian History Museum, Jüri Kuuskemaa’s collection, Kalle Laasberg´s collection, Kätlin Ojavee’s collection, National Historical Museums of Sweden, Piia Ausman’s collection, Roman Catholic Church in Estonia, Tallinn City Museum, Royal Armoury of Sweden, University of Tartu Art Museum, University of Tartu Library

Partners:
Royal Armoury of Sweden, National Historical Museums of Sweden