Žmuidzinavičius Museum

The exhibit of the Žmuidzinavičius Museum

Žmuidzinavičius Museum, commonly known as the Devils' Museum (Lithuanian: Velnių muziejus), is a museum in Kaunas, Lithuania, dedicated to collecting and exhibiting sculptures and carvings of devils from all over the world. As of 2009, its holdings encompass about 3,000 exhibits.^[1] The collection was initiated by painter Antanas Žmuidzinavičius (1876–1966). A memorial museum was established in his house after his death. At the time the devil collection had only 260 sculptures.^[2] As the collection grew, enriched by a number of gifts presented to the museum by its visitors, a separate three-storey extension was built in 1982.^[1] The devils, collected from different cultures, are diverse: some are just works of art, while others are incorporated into useful objects, some represent folk myths, while others express modern political ideas.^[2] For example, one sculpture depicts Hitler and Stalin as devils in a dance of death over a playground littered with human bones.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Devils' Museum". Lithuanian Art Museum. 2009-10-20. http://www.muziejai.lt/Kaunas/Velniu_muziejus.en.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Bignell, Rachel (September 2007). "Devil Museum, Kaunas, Lithuania". Fortean Traveller. http://www.forteantimes.com/features/fortean_traveller/662/devil_museum_kaunas_lithuania.html. 

External links

• Virtual panorama inside the museum

Coordinates: 54°54′03″N 23°54′38″E / 54.90083°N 23.91056°E / 54.90083; 23.91056