Who was Himsel?
Nikolaus von Himsel (1729–1764) was a doctor, encyclopaedist, traveller and collector who lived in Riga, and the first public museum of the Baltics was named after him.
Why Himsel?
Himsel is the beginning of Baltic museums and a pioneer of Latvian museum tradition.
Source of inspiration?
Himsel’s Europe travel description manuscript.
Why now?
2017 marks the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which is the basis of free movement of goods, services, capital and people in the single European market.
What does it have to do with Himsel?
As an 18th century traveller from Riga, Himsel is a prototype of free movement in Europe, and the legacy of his collections for the public marks the beginning of museums in the Baltics.
Topic?
Grand Tour or trip around Europe.
Contents?
The 12 stopovers along Himsel's travel route with descriptions of locations and people: Genoa, Rome, London, Vesuvius, Venice, Amsterdam, Turin, Uppsala, Basel, Vienna, Avignon, Saint Petersburg.
Place for notes?
Plenty! With ink blurs from the Himsel’s travel route manuscript as a source of inspiration.
Bonus?
Himsel's CV and an aphorism on the usefulness of travel.
Concept: Creative Museum
Design: H2E
Consultant: Dr. hist. Edgars Ceske
Source: Himsel’s travel manuscript in three volumes, Department of Rare Books and Manuscripts of the Academic Library of the University of Latvia
Photographer: Didzis Grodzs
Special thanks to Artis Ērglis and Dr. philol. Aija Taimiņa!