Exhibition about Wilhelm Bockslaff at the Riga Art Nouveau Center from Nov. 9th to Dec. 3rd
It’s now 165 years since the birth of Baltic German architect Wilhelm Bockslaff, but his contribution to the fabric of his native city lives on. Bockslaff designed numerous Latvian mansions and public buildings in Rīga and Jūrmala, including everything from water towers to grand country houses.
He was the architect of the Riga Great Guild, Ludvigs Neiburgs’ tenement house on Jauniela, Jaunmoku Manor house and the Commercial School of the Riga Stock Exchange Committee in (now the building of the Latvian Academy of Arts). Many of his buildings are in the “brick gothic” style, combining functionality with craftsmanship and ingenious decoration.
The exhibition will be on display at the museum until December 3.
You can appreciate a video on his works in this video from Maximilian Matthews:
The museum “Riga Art Nouveau Center” is the only one in the Baltic States dedicated to the cultural and historical heritage of Art Nouveau.
The structure at 12 Albert Street, erected in 1903, served as the private residence of the renowned Latvian architect Konstantīns Pēkšēns. Collaborating with Eugene Laubi, K. Pēkšēns designed the building, adorning its facade with ornamental ridges featuring stylized motifs inspired by Latvia’s flora and fauna. These motifs extend to the interior decorations, contributing to the overall grandeur. Notably, the spiral staircase within is not only a marvel in Riga but also holds distinction across Europe.
The museum boasts an authentic Art Nouveau apartment interior juxtaposed with a contemporary digital exhibition. The apartment’s layout, original wall colors, ceiling paintings, and room decorations vividly capture the essence of the Art Nouveau style. Visitors can explore a diverse array of Riga-made furniture, tableware, artworks, clocks, garments, embroideries, and more.
In tandem, a modern and interactive digital exposition immerses visitors in the splendor of Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture, design, art, and the daily lives of its residents at the turn of the 20th century. Here, guests are invited to construct their Art Nouveau house, enjoy a film, or transport themselves into the interior of a specially curated photo salon.