Akadēmiskais centrsGraphic materials
Pictures from the collection of Johann Christoph Brotze
Teacher and regional ethnographer Johann Christoph Brotze (1742–1823) was born in Görlitz, studied theology and philosophy at universities of Leipzig and Wittenberg; he also mastered technical drawing. In 1768 J. C. Brotze moved to Riga, and since 1769 he has started to teach at Riga Lyceum where he has worked for 46 years.
J. C. Brotze collected historical materials and drew everything that seemed significant to him: people, buildings, coins, armorial bearings, plans of towns, technical innovations, etc., fixing everything with great preciseness and always adding written explanations. Many of the objects drawn by him had perished or disappeared in the course of time, but information about them has been preserved in J. C. Brotze’s drawings and descriptions which are summed up in his most significant work “Sammlung verschiedner Liefländischer Monumente ...” in 10 volumes and are stored in the Academic Library of the University of Latvia.
Pictures from the albums of engravings of V. Z. fon Steffenhagen
Wilhelm Siegfried von Steffenhagen (1814-1881) was born in Kuldiga and sculptor’s education got in St. Petersburg Academy of Arts in 1834, after that he supplemented his knowledge in Frankfurt on the Main in 1846 and in 1848 continued supplementing his attainment in Munich Academy of Fine Arts. In the middle of 19th century in Europe travel guides were very popular. W.S. von Steffenhagen spent ten years traveling around the Baltic countries and capturing the picturesque landscapes and city views in drawings. Alongside to the legendary luxurious palaces, mansions and gorgeous park landscapes artist reflected humble peasant huts and that time ordinary people in everyday life. W.S. von Steffenhagen achievement - more than 80 great engravings issued in three excellent albums together with descriptions of the most beautiful places in the Baltic region. Issues is a part of the Library of the University of Latvia collection.
Photographies from the albums
The library is one of the memory institutions which save photos along with various other information resources. Photos play an important role in raising global awareness, without embellishment illuminates losses and wins of the deceased eras. They stop and capture a moment, making it a part of the human and the nation memory. Can get an idea of the different social and historical events by viewing and studying the photos. In the exhibition there are several unique 20th century photo albums: "Kurzeme and Lithuania" (early 20th century), "Latvian refugee return" (1922) and an album of photographer Janis Rieksts with photos of the legendary Roman hotel perpetuated in 20th century, 20 and 30 years. In these albums photographs clearly depicting the history of Latvia and it's citizen in definite time period.