Matti Milius | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | June 3, 2015 Tartu, Estonia | (aged 69)
Nationality | Estonian |
Alma mater | Viljandi School of Cultural Education |
Occupation | Art collector |
Matti Milius (November 10, 1945 – June 3, 2015)[1] was an Estonian art collector.[2] He lived in Tartu and was one of the biggest collectors of Estonian and Baltic contemporary art and a curator of art exhibitions. Milius owned a large collection of bookplates, graphics, and paintings consisting of more than 1,200 works.[3][4] From 1968 onward, Milius exhibited works from his collection at exhibitions in Estonia and abroad.
The Milius art collection started thanks to Helene Ivask-Kulpa, the daughter of the literary scholar and bookplate researcher Udo-Nestor Ivask, in 1962. She gave Matt a bookplate every time the young man got a good grade in science, English, or Russian. In 1966, Milius met the art collector Mart Lepp, at whose initiative he became interested in older Estonian graphics. Peeter Urbla sparked Milius's interest in contemporary art in 1968.
From 1970 to 1980, Milius was engaged in samizdat, copying and distributing the works of several authors on a typewriter, and publishing self-published collections, including the almanacs Karjamaa (Pasture) and Sõna (Word). He was under constant surveillance by the KGB.[5][6]
Recognitions and awards
- 2003: Honorary title of Tartu Bearer of Culture in the producer category[7]
References
- ^ "Legendary Art Collector Matti Milius Dies". ERR. June 4, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ Tallinn–Moskva, 1956-1985. Tallinn: Tallinna kunstihoone. 1996. p. 298.
- ^ Rosenfeld, Alla; Dodge, Norton T. (2001). Art of the Baltics: The Struggle for Freedom of Artistic Expression under the Soviets, 1945–1991. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. p. 19.
- ^ North, Michael (2015). The Baltic: A History. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
- ^ Viktor Niitsoo (2001). "Matti ja Lisandused". In Kareva, Doris (ed.). Milius sõnas ja pildis. Tallinn: Umara Kirjastus. p. 20.
- ^ Kelomees, Raivo (2015). "The Art Collection of Matti Milius". Estonian Art. 15 (1). Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ "Kultuurikandja laureaadid 2001–2021" (PDF). Tartu linn. Tartu: Tartu Linnavalitsus. Retrieved April 20, 2024.