Mikkel Museum. Museum Guide

The Mikkel Museum, an art museum dedicated to Johannes Mikkel’s art collection, was opened in the former kitchen building of Kadriorg Palace in 1997. Johannes Mikkel (1907–2006) was one of the most remarkable art collectors in Estonia. His extensive collection of older paintings and prints from Western Europe, European, Russian and Asian ceramics, as well as some pieces of historical furniture and some works of Estonian art were assembled in Soviet Estonia (1940–1991) at the time when dealing in art was considered a controversial and even suspicious activity.

In this context, both Mikkel’s persona and his passion for collecting are quite unique. He did not follow any school or have specific genre preferences but surrounded himself with things that were old, valuable and beautiful. Each item has its own place in the collector’s world and its own story to tell.

The temporary exhibitions programme of the Mikkel Museum focusses on the history of art collecting in Estonia and on presenting fascinating private collections.

The museum guidebook is also available in Estonian