Page 3 - virtual_tour_1_en

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Several drawings of Vidzeme castles, including Sigulda and Turaida, have been also made by Baltic-
German artist Carl von Ungern-Sternberg (1773-1830). He had intention to collect sketches for creation of
Baltic sketchbook, however, this idea was not accomplished. Sternberg’s drawings are generally known in
the form of postcards that were published in the beginning of the 20th century in Tallinn. They include twelve
drawings of Vidzeme castles among which are also Turaida and Sigulda castle ruins.
August Mathias Hagen (1794-1878) practised both painting and graphics. He worked as a drawing
teacher at University of Dorpat, although he was captivated by Vidzeme – especially, the picturesque
surroundings of Sigulda and Cēsis. The artist has depicted also the Turaida castle ruins from more rarely
presented northern part.
German painter and engraver Wilhelm Barth (1774-1840) depicted in his works more rarely recorded
Krimulda castle ruins as well as general view of Sigulda town and castle ruins. Contribution of other artists in
perpetuation of Sigulda is less important, however, their drawings disclose some details which enrich our
knowledge about ancient monuments. Among these artists should be mentioned Wilhelm Tusch, A.Merkel,
Andreas Löwis of Menar, Gustav Gerhard Kieseritzky and others. Steel engravings with a view to Turaida by
Wilhelm Siegfried Stavenhagen (1814-1881) and painting of the Sigulda castle ruins in the end of the 19th
century by old master Jūlijs Feders (1838-1909) stand out for high artistic value. Some of the above
mentioned artists have practised also painting of other at that time significant objects – estates, mills,
taverns, raft piers of the River Gauja and various natural objects. Works of these artists are published in
different editions as well as reproduced in the form of postcards and popularized otherwise. Their originals
are stored in the Latvian Academic Library (LAB), Latvian Museum of National History (LNVM), Latvian
National Museum of Art (LNMM), Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation (RVKM) and Estonian
History Museum (IVM).