Painting collection – 2nd half of the 20th century – today

The painting collection that encompasses the period between the 2nd half of the 20th century and today mainly consists of works made in Latvia or painted by Latvian-born artists in the post-war period abroad. The collection is a unique and professional representation of the period.

It is created in a synergy between the state and the museum that was allotted planned and regular financial support that facilitated art life in its entirety – both the accepted ideologies as well as its alternative – metaphoric zone. In the 1980s, the Ministry of Culture still had an expert committee that evaluated the exhibitions of the republic and concluded agreements with artists.

The committee did not only consist of ideological functionaries but also included artists. Next to this accepted procurement, works without the ideological objective were also bought from exhibitions and artists. After the 1990s, the supplementation of the collection has significantly decelerated, yet it continues. Part of the works in the collection are artist donations.