At the beginning of 2023, a sensational find was unearthed from the Baroque wing of the Knights’ Guild building on Toompea Hill – a figural ceiling painting on canvas. There are only a few of these left in Estonia. The ceiling painting, completed in the early 1690s, is earlier than most other Tallinn ceiling paintings and, with an area of approximately 60 m², is undoubtedly the largest in Estonia. The high artistic quality and masterful execution of the painting depicting Venus Triumphant are also rare. Although it is clear that the painting was created on site in the Knights’ Guild building in Tallinn, its author remains unknown to this day.
The story of the rare painting, which has been hidden for almost three centuries, from its discovery among debris and cobwebs to its (re)exhibition in full glory, is summarized in the richly illustrated collection “The Triumph of Venus” by the Estonian Academy of Arts. The texts have been compiled by historians, art historians, conservators-restorers, physicists-chemists, imaging specialists, and others who participated in the process. In addition to describing the complex restoration process, the book provides an overview of the history of the painting itself and the knighthood building, its development into a representative building in Estonia, and the technique of making canvas ceilings.
Authors: Liis-Marel Aak, Hilkka Hiiop, Triin Kröönström, Johanna Lamp, Jüri-Martin Lepp, Alar Läänelaid, Kaisa Milsaar, Ain Mäesalu, Käthi Niman, Anneli Randla, Rasmus Randla, Riin Rebane, Gert Uiboaed, Edgar Umblia, Andres Uueni, Signe Vahur, Maris Veeremäe, Hannes Vinnal
Editor: Maris Veeremäe
Language editor: Hille Saluäär
Translators: Eva Finch, Jason Finch
Designed by Villu Plink
Estonian Academy of Arts, Department of Cultural Heritage and Conservation, 2025
168 pages, in Estonian and English
ISBN 978-9916-740-40-8