The Human Touch. Exhibition of restorers’ works
In the year of the Museum’s 250th anniversary, an exhibition offers to get to know the restorers of the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation and bring an insight in their work in preserving the cultural and historical heritage.
One of the most important tasks of the museum is to accumulate and preserve material evidence of cultural and historical heritage for future generations. Museum restorers are invaluable in this work who monitor the condition of the objects in the collection and, if necessary, carry out their conservation and restoration.
The human touch to museum objects requires both extensive theoretical knowledge and practical skills, which are expanded throughout the entire restorer’s working life, improving the qualifications of a restorer, starting with the position of a specialist – restorer, moving on to a master – restorer, and reaching the top qualification of the old master – restorer.
Museum restorers specialize in the restoration of certain materials. Each object to be restored, regardless of its size or material, requires a thorough study of it, preparation of the restoration assignment, patiently and responsibly performed restoration work, and detailed documentation of the restoration process.
The exhibition features items from the Museum’s collection which were restored in the period from 1978 to 2023. Although it is a very tiny part of the total volume of the items restored by the Museum staff and the invited restorers, they have been specially selected to display the restoration of different materials as well as the complexity of the restoration process and the captivating work of the restorer. Exhibition concept by Agita Ančupāne, Ineta Augustina Art design by Antra Augustinoviča Photos by Astrīda Meirāne, Ilgvars Gradovskis, Mārtiņš Lablaiks, Kaspars Burvis, Andris Vītols, Jana Lībiete, Roberts Kaniņš Video by Wind films
“The Human Touch. Exhibition of restorers’ works” in the Exhibition Hall of the Museum on the 1st floor will be open until December 30, 2023.
Poster “The Human Touch. Exhibition of restorers’ works”
Restorer of metal products Anete Strautmane in the process of work. Photo: Jānis Romanovskis.
Furniture and woodcarving restorer Dainis Andersons in the process of work. Photo: Jānis Romanovskis.
Photo restorer Kristaps Latvis in the process of work. Photo: Jānis Romanovskis.
Doll – tea, coffee warmer (silk, cotton, cardboard). 19th century. Before restoration. From the collection of the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation.
Doll – tea, coffee warmer (silk, cotton, cardboard). 19th century. After the restoration. From the collection of the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation. Restorer – Ramona Gailīte.
Mockup of spiral staircase. K. Kaminskis Carpenter diploma thesis. Europe, 1882. From the collection of the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation. Restorer Dainis Andersons. Restored in 2021.
