There’s a lot that is unique and distinctive about the art of Estonia, ranging from the neolithic ceramics found in archeological collections to the probingly edgy works of contemporary artists.

Gothic

Quite apart from being a 3-D picturebook of medieval architecture, capital Tallinn contains a good deal of Gothic religious art (despite efforts of protestant rioters to destroy it). The Niguliste Church holds a lot of Estonia’s best medieval art, while Gothic stone-carving can be admired in The Dominican Monastery.

19th century

A true Estonian art didn’t really get started until the nineteenth century, with the St Petersburg educated Johann Köler (1826-1899) producing realist portraits and landscapes that set new standards and inspired emerging generation of painters. The subsequent development of Estonian painting from Köler up to the present day is showcased in both Tallinn’s KUMU Art Museum and in Tartu Art Gallery.

Early 20th century