Lithuanian National Museum of Art

Overview

The Lithuanian National Museum of Art is the country's largest art institution, with several branches across Vilnius. The main collection encompasses Lithuanian and Baltic art from medieval icon painting through to contemporary installation. Its holdings include over 240,000 works spanning painting, sculpture, graphic art, and applied art.

Highlights

• Medieval sacred art: Wooden polychrome sculptures and silver liturgical objects from Lithuanian churches.
• Čiurlionis hall: Works by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, Lithuania's most celebrated painter and composer, known for dreamlike symbolist canvases.
• Applied art collection: Amber artefacts, folk textiles, and ceramic traditions unique to the Baltic region.

History

The museum traces its origins to 1933, when the Čiurlionis Gallery was established in Kaunas. After World War II, the collection was transferred to Vilnius and expanded. In 1997, several Vilnius art institutions were merged under the single Lithuanian National Museum of Art umbrella.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Ask at the ticket desk about combined tickets covering all branches.
• Tip 2: Don't miss the Čiurlionis works — his paintings are unlike anything you've seen.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.