Vilniaus paveikslų galerija

About the museum

The Vilniaus paveikslų galerija is a branch of the Lietuvos nacionalinis dailės muziejus (Lithuanian National Museum of Art). It is housed in the historic Chodkevičiai-Puslovskiai Palace in the centre of the Vilnius Old Town, near Rotušės aikštė. Already in the 16th century there were stone buildings on the palace grounds, and at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries the Chodkevičiai built a fortified town residence here. In 1754–1762 the palace was rebuilt, and around 1825–1834, to a design by the architect Tomas Tišeckis, it acquired forms of late neoclassicism. A representative inner courtyard surrounded by four wings was then formed.

In the 19th century the palace housed the Medical-Surgical Academy and the chancellery of the Vilnius educational district; in 1919 it was handed over to the re-established Vilnius University. Since 1994 the Vilnius Picture Gallery has been housed in the western wing, while the museum administration, library, archive and storerooms occupy the other wings.

The gallery's permanent exhibition presents works of Lithuanian and foreign art from the 16th to the early 20th century. It shows the tradition of the Vilnius art school, with works by Pranciškus Smuglevičius, Jonas Rustemas, Juozapas Oleškevičius and other artists, portraits of nobles of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and religious art, including the 16th-century Gothic sculpture “Prisikėlęs Kristus” (The Risen Christ), which was returned to Lithuania. The gallery also hosts exhibitions, concerts, lectures, drawing evenings and children's camps.

Highlights

• Works of the Vilnius art school: Smuglevičius, Rustemas, Oleškevičius
• Portraits of nobles of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 16th–18th centuries
• 16th-century Gothic sculpture “Prisikėlęs Kristus” (The Risen Christ)
• Late neoclassical interiors of the Chodkevičiai Palace
• Concerts, lectures and children's camps “Grafo Katino Katkevičiaus stovyklos”

Permanent exhibitions

• Vilniaus meno mokykla ir jos tradicijos – Works by Pranciškus Smuglevičius, Jonas Rustemas, Juozapas Oleškevičius and other 19th-century artists, displayed in chronological order and linked to the Department of Drawing and Painting of Vilnius University.
• Lietuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštystės portretai – Portraits of 16th–18th-century nobles, clergy and statesmen, with coats of arms, inscriptions and symbols of office.
• „Prisikėlęs Kristus“ ir kiti religinės dailės kūriniai – The 16th-century Gothic sculpture “Prisikėlęs Kristus” is displayed alongside other Gothic sculptures and 17th–18th-century religious paintings.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Lietuvos nacionalinis dailės muziejus

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the last Sunday of every month all visitors enter the permanent exhibitions and displays free of charge.

The “Vilnius Pass” card can be used and tickets can be bought online. Pre-school children, holders of the Bičiulių (Friends) card, ICOM members, staff of Lithuanian museums, journalists, artists and other persons entitled to concessions enter free; citizens of Ukraine enter free on presentation of a document confirming their citizenship.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The premises are adapted for visitors with mobility impairments and for parents with pushchairs: special lifts are installed, and a wheelchair is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

The gallery runs educational sessions and drawing evenings, as well as “Grafo Katino Katkevičiaus stovyklos” (Count Katinas Katkevičius Camps) for children.

Getting there & parking

The gallery is in the centre of the Vilnius Old Town, on Didžioji gatvė, near Rotušės aikštė.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The gallery's premises and small courtyard can be rented on application (via muziejus@lndm.lt).

Plan your visit