INTEGRATED COLLECTION OF PROF. ERNEST FELSBERG, UL RECTOR, AND OF UL ART CABINET

Ernest Felsberg (1866-1928) was the first rector of the UL and a professional art historian.

In 1920 E. Felsberg started working in the Latvia Higher School (later the University of Latvia) as a professor, but in September of 1920 was nominated as acting rector (he was confirmed in this post in 1922). The professor remained in the position of Rector till summer of 1923. He was a member of Saeima (Parliament of the Republic of Latvia) from 1922 to 1925, and Minister of Education from December 19, 1924 to March 4, 1925. In March of 1928 he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor Honoris Causa of Classical Philology of the University of Latvia.

Professor E. Felsberg was also the creator of the exposition of the Art Cabinet collection of UL.

Thanks to the enthusiasm and initiative of E. Felsberg, the Art Cabinet of UL acquired a generous collection of art objects and books.

The books and graphic materials collection of E. Felsberg and the UL Art Cabinet is the most extensive and valuable collection of this kind from the beginning of the 20th century in Latvia. The subject-matter of the collection is art history of the world, including classical editions of art history, literature on art of Antique culture, the cultural heritage of Ancient Egypt and its archaeological research etc.

Items from the collection can be ordered via the Union catalog.