Small is Beautiful. The Smallest Exhibits in the Collections of the Lithuanian National Museum of Art

12 May – 13 September, 2026

At museums the attention of visitors is usually drawn to large, impressive and immediately noticeable exhibits. However, some of the most interesting stories are often hiding in the very smallest of objects. This exhibition invites visitors to slow down and take a closer look to discover that small works of art may well be hiding extraordinarily interesting cultural-historical and art research-related narratives.

 

Astounding amber works, historic jewellery, coins from the times of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Renaissance-era medals, the first porcelain vases produced in Europe, seals that are significant in Lithuania’s history and other miniature treasures are presented at this exhibition, and all come from the collections of the Lithuanian National Museum of Art. Even though their scale may be small, they reflect master craftsmanship and trade links dating back centuries, as well as our state’s political development, the personal stories of the authors of these pieces and the cultural contexts of a specific period. Each object acts as a record of sorts, tracing the activities of its creator, commissioner, owner, collectors and museum personnel.

 

The exhibition comprises of seven themed showcases. Each one has on display just a few, albeit special, objects inviting you to slow down, take a closer look, and in doing so to become acquainted with the special and eloquently told story of the exhibit. Given the close degree of intimacy with the exhibit, scale becomes an advantage: the smaller the work of art, the closer we must approach it and the more attuned our glance must be. Each showcase contains a main exhibit and the accompanying story behind it, which is sometimes quite unexpected. 

 

In order to reveal the details that are often invisible to the naked eye, the showcases are enhanced with interactive technologies. Three-dimensional scanned images allow examining the form and texture of the object, while in the brief videos the collection curators Sigita Bagužaitė-Talačkienė, Gražina Gurnevičiūtė and Dainius Labeckis present their chosen exhibits, works they have a particular affinity for and see as meaningful, revealing their value and historical contexts.

 

The exhibition Small is Beautiful is a reminder for us to reset out gaze and perceptions to a slower pace. Instead of hurrying through the exhibition, visitors are invited to stop, look closely, really listen to the stories and discover the amazing worlds hidden in the very smallest works of art.

Dr Arūnas Gelūnas

 

Curator Dr Arūnas Gelūnas

Architects: Mindaugas Reklaitis, Ričardas Bertašius

Coordinators: Sigita Bagužaitė-Talačkienė, Regina Makauskienė

Graphic designer Vasarė Krugždaitė (BMK)

Media partners: LRT, JCDecaux

 

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17 Vytauto st, LT-00101, Palanga, Lithuania
(+370 460) 30314
gintaro.muziejus@lndm.lt

See also

Exhibition opening

Small and beautiful treasures from the collections of the LNMA go on show at the Palanga Amber Museum