The Zuzāns Collection (Latvian edition)

The book is dedicated to Dina and Jānis Zuzāns‘ art collection. Since 2011 the works from their collection are regularly exhibited in Mūkusala Art Salon – an exhibition venue owned by the family – as well as in various exhibitions in Latvian and overseas art museums. This is the largest privately owned art collection in Latvia.

The collection created by our family is an attempt to create a chrestomathic portrait of Latvian art – as we see and feel it.

Jānis Zuzāns

The book features a selection of 230 artworks. The text authors are specialists from Mūkusala Art Salon: Diāna Barčevska, Ingūna Ģēģere, Sniedze Sofija Kāle, Līga Lindenbauma, Valts Miķelsons, Arta Vārpa, as well as Dina and Jānis Zuzāns, and their daughters Elīna Janevica and Kristīne Zuzāne.

While thinking about the ways to represent the collection, Jānis Zuzāns made a suggestion that the specialists of the Mūkusala Art Salon should create top lists of best artworks. It took several brainstorms and heated debates for the core of the book to emerge – 230 artworks, and not just because these are really true “pearls” of art but also because each of them is carrying a message which we wanted to write down. (..) The conceptual basis of the book is an intimate dialogue, while the selected “pearls” are arranged in accordance with their acquisition to the collection. Private memories and feelings are related by the Zuzāns family – Dina, Jānis and their daughters Elīna and Kristīne. Authors of the texts from the staff of the Mūkusala Art Salon too tried to step back from a museum-like approach in order to create a live link with the chosen artwork

Sniedze Sofija-Kāle

Along with the reproductions of artworks and their short descriptions the book includes also a brief history of Mūkusala Art Salon and a chronicle of exhibitions held at the salon.