Museum of Janis Rozentals and Rudolfs Blaumanis, Riga

The Museum of Janis Rozentals and Rudolfs Blaumanis in Riga offers a unique glimpse into the lives and creative processes of two pivotal figures in Latvian culture. Housed on the 9th floor of an iconic Art Nouveau building on Alberta Street, constructed in 1903, the museum is set in a space deeply intertwined with the history of Latvian arts. This building, a significant architectural monument, was designed by architects Konstantīns Pēkšēns and Eizen Laube and includes an apartment specifically designed for the Latvian painter Janis Rozentāls, a founder of the national professional fine arts in Latvia.

Janis Rozentāls lived in this apartment from 1904 until he died in 1915, together with his spouse, Finnish singer Ellija Forsele. Today, the museum allows visitors to experience the Art Nouveau interior where Rozentāls lived and worked, hosting luminaries like Jāzeps Vītols, Emilis Melngailis, Anna Brigadere, and Kārlis Skalbe. The artist’s workshop, located on the second floor of the apartment, is a highlight of the museum. Here, visitors can admire Rozentāls' artworks across his career, alongside works by his students, offering insights into his artistic vision and methodology.

The museum is also rich in memorial objects preserved by the Rozentāls family, ranging from furniture and household items to paintings and ceramics, providing a personal view into the artist’s life. Historical photographs throughout the museum deepen the visitor's understanding of Rozentāls’ personal and professional realms.

In addition to showcasing Janis Rozentāls' contributions, the museum commemorates Rūdolfs Blaumanis, another eminent Latvian cultural figure, who lived in the apartment as a tenant from 1906 to 1908. A dedicated memorial room to Blaumanis enriches the museum, highlighting his multifaceted contributions to literature, journalism, and theater, thus offering a comprehensive view into the cultural heritage of Latvia during a transformative period in its history.