Nacionalinis M. K. Čiurlionio dailės muziejus

About the museum

The Nacionalinis M. K. Čiurlionio dailės muziejus (National M. K. Čiurlionis Art Museum) is one of the largest and oldest art museums in Lithuania. Its official founding date is 14 December 1921, when the legacy of M. K. Čiurlionis began to be gathered and preserved. From 1924 the gallery was headed by the painter Paulius Galaunė, and on 13 December 1925 the Čiurlionis Gallery opened with almost 4,500 exhibits.

In 1936 a new museum building dedicated to Vytautas the Great was opened. During the occupations the museum's activities changed in line with government policy, and its collections were reviewed and redistributed. In 1995 the museum received the collection of the art patron Mykolas Žilinskas, which comprises 1,683 exhibits.

Today the museum is a large complex with several branches in Kaunas and Druskininkai. The main building on V. Putvinskio Street displays almost all surviving works by Čiurlionis: more than 300 paintings, over 700 graphic works and sketches, and about 400 musical compositions.

Highlights

• Čiurlionis's paintings, graphic works, music and photographs in a modern, well-lit exhibition
• Lithuanian art from the 14th to the 19th century, with Gothic sculptures and noble portraits
• “Archaika” – a collection of Lithuanian folk art with sashes, costumes and ritual objects
• The exhibition “Kryžių Lietuva” (“Lithuania of Crosses”) in the inner courtyard
• A double art dose: combined ticket with the Kauno paveikslų galerija (Kaunas Picture Gallery)

Permanent exhibitions

• M. K. Čiurlionio kūryba – Čiurlionis's paintings, graphic works, music and photography are presented in a modern, well-lit exhibition with places to rest.
• Lietuvos dailė XIV–XIX a. – Three rooms show archaeological finds, Gothic Madonnas, noble portraits and examples of 19th-century art.
• Archaika. Lietuvių liaudies menas XVIII–XX a. – The exhibition shows the oldest Lithuanian folk art objects – ritual cups, sashes, headdresses and household utensils.

Founded

1921

Operated by

Nacionalinis M. K. Čiurlionio dailės muziejus (valstybės biudžetinė įstaiga)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The permanent exhibitions are free on the last Sunday of every month (except the Kauno paveikslų galerija); on 1 September pupils of daytime general education and art schools visit free of charge.

After buying a ticket you receive a wristband, which allows you to leave and re-enter on the same day. Museum staff, ICOM members, journalists and several other reduced-price categories also visit free of charge.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

A family ticket allows children to enter for €2 each; the museum runs educational sessions for children.

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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