The Maarjamäe Palace, better known for its permanent exhibit on Estonian history, is currently hosting two temporary exhibitions that should attract architecture and fashion buffs. The exhibits introduce the lost face of Tallinn and the rise of the modern woman.

An exhibit dealing with architectural history, Outside the town walls. 19th Century views from the art collection of the Estonian History Museum, opened on May 10. It’s based on the rich art collection of the museum’s predecessor, the Provincial Museum, which was established in 1864. 50 works from Baltic German artists are on display, the majority of which are by Carl Friedrich Christian Buddeus (1775–1864), who lived and worked in Estonia for over 25 years. Rather than focusing on the better-known Old Town area, these works portray Tallinn’s suburbs, where only a few fishermen’s shacks, taverns, houses, summer manors and wide meadows then existed. Today these areas are so changed that it’s difficult (albeit interesting) to match those 19th-century views with the current cityscape.

An exhibition on the recent history of fashion, Paula, you have bobbed hair! Women’s fashions between the World Wars, opened on June 8. The exhibit provides a survey of the changes in Estonian women’s clothing from 1900 to 1945, demonstrating how the changing appearance of women reflects changes in social attitudes brought about by wars and technical developments. Pop songs and films of street scenes from the period help illustrate this sudden and irreversible metamorphosis. The items on display belong to the collections of the Estonian History Museum and the Tallinn City Museum.

Both exhibitions will continue through November 19. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 6pm; and from November 1, 10am to 5pm. The ticket price is 15 kroons.

Additional information:
Estonian History Museum – Maarjamäe Palace, Pirita tee 56
www.eam.ee, maarjamagi@eam.ee, phone +372 601 4535