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Samuel Bak Museum

About

The Samuel Bak Museum in Vilnius offers a deeply moving encounter with the life and work of the renowned Litvak artist, Samuel Bak. Located within the Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History, it is the first museum in the world dedicated exclusively to Bak’s art. Born in Vilnius in 1933, Bak held his first exhibition in the ghetto at age nine, a poignant beginning to a career shaped by survival, displacement, and philosophical reflection. The museum’s permanent exhibition features 37 works selected by the artist himself, spanning from early drawings created during the Holocaust to large-scale canvases exploring themes of memory, identity, and resilience. Bak’s distinctive style—often described as allegorical realism—invites viewers into a symbolic world rich with historical and emotional depth. More than a gallery, the museum stands as a testament to the enduring power of art to confront trauma and inspire hope. It is a vital cultural space that honors Vilnius’s Jewish heritage while engaging global audiences in dialogue through creativity.

Vilnius Lithuania

Location

The Samuel Bak Museum is located at 10 Naugarduko Street in Vilnius and is dedicated to the work and life of Samuel Bak, a renowned painter and Holocaust survivor who was born in Vilnius. The museum showcases over 100 of Bak's paintings, offering insight into his unique allegorical realism style and the history of the Jewish community in Vilnius, especially during the Holocaust. As part of the Vilna Gaon State Jewish Museum, it provides an educational experience enriched with multimedia including video guides and workshops. Nearby, visitors can explore the historical Jewish quarter with significant cultural landmarks, synagogues, and memorials. The location immerses guests in the rich Jewish heritage of Vilnius, with accessible amenities and connections to nearby cultural sites, making it a poignant destination for understanding art, history, and resilience.

Samuel Bak Museum

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