Adamson-Ericu muuseum

About the museum

The Adamson-Ericu muuseum is located in Tallinn’s Old Town at the corner of Lühike jalg and Rüütli Street. There are written records about the property from 1542. In the Middle Ages metalworking and locksmith workshops operated there; later the building held living quarters, and at the beginning of the 20th century horses were kept in the inner courtyard. The present building has no clear historical features and shows several building phases.

The building was renovated in 1983 for the Adamson-Ericu muuseum. The basis of the museum is the gift of the artist’s wife, Mari Adamson (1908–2000), to the Eesti Kunstimuuseum: around a thousand works in various genres. The artist himself had no connection with the house during his lifetime.

The permanent exhibition is on the first floor and shows Adamson-Eric’s versatility as a painter and as an applied artist. In addition, two to three changing exhibitions are held each year, focusing on classical modernism, exile art, women artists and Adamson-Eric’s contemporaries. The museum cooperates with museums in Latvia, Finland and Japan.

Highlights

• Paintings by Adamson-Eric, including “Autoportree (Karjane)” (1931) and “Hispaania maastik arbuusiga” (1931)
• Almost a thousand small works painted with glaze colours on ceramic tiles
• Applied art: ceramics, porcelain painting, leather, metal and textile works, e.g. “Käevõru” (Bracelet), 1964–1968
• Art cellar – a creative space for all visitors
• Two to three changing exhibitions a year on classical modernism

Permanent exhibition

• Adamson-Eric. Modernism ja mitmekülgsus – The permanent exhibition presents Adamson-Eric as a sensitive painter and an influential applied artist: paintings from the 1920s to the 1960s, ceramics, porcelain painting, leather and metalwork, and textiles.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Eesti Kunstimuuseum

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the last Wednesday of the month the ticket costs €3 (family ticket €6). On 1 June (Children’s Protection Day) children up to and including 18 years of age enter free; this does not apply to pre-booked tours.

The full ticket is valid for one visit within one year from purchase. Reduced and free admission requires proof. Free admission on presentation of proof also for children from children’s homes, victims of repression and persons equated with them, museum staff, members of ICOMOS, ICOM, AICA and EstSEA, students of art history and fine arts, journalists (with press card), holders of the Tallinn Card and the WFTGA Cultour Card, and holders of the museum card. Free admission does not apply to pre-booked tours and programmes.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: not available
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

Wheelchair users cannot currently enter the museum: there are three steps at the entrance and three more inside. The permanent exhibition on the first floor, and the basement toilets, art cellar and classroom, are reachable only by stairs. Visitors with limited mobility may park free of charge in front of the Niguliste museum if they give prior notice. Guide dogs are allowed in the museum. The ticket desk can lend tactile building plans, tactile figurines, relief drawings of works and descriptive translations; descriptions of five works can also be listened to online. Wall texts are in Estonian and English. The museum does not currently provide sign-language interpretation (groups with hearing impairments may bring their own interpreter), and there is no induction loop. Visits should be announced in advance by telephone at +372 644 5838; programmes for visitors with special needs are adapted to the needs of the group.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The art cellar on the basement floor is a creative space open to all visitors during opening hours, intended for adults as well as families with children. Materials and instructions are on site, and use is free with a museum ticket. For independent exploration there are creative tasks with video instructions; during school holidays city camps are organised.

Getting there & parking

The museum is near Raekoja plats and the Niguliste museum; it is about 350 m from Vabaduse väljak and Viru väljak and about 650 m from Balti jaam. The nearest bicycle parking is in front of the Niguliste museum.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Toilets, the art cellar and the classroom are on the basement floor. The museum shop sells museum publications and art reproductions.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Adamson-Ericu muuseum is in a historic town house; the conditions for events can be found on the events page of the Eesti Kunstimuuseum.

Plan your visit