German exhibition opens at Brest’s City History Museum: Fashion in Mirror of History. Epoch of Reformation. 19th Century Engravings
Eighteen 19th century engravings by an unknown German artist are on show, showing Western European dress from the time of the Reformation. “It’s possible to look at these engravings endlessly, as the details are so meticulously observed. They’re of interest not only to art lovers and experts but to anyone interested in history or involved in historical reconstruction. Set designers will be interested too,” asserts the museum’s director, Svetlana Tomchuk.
The Honorary Consul of France to Brest, Leonid Staetsky, has donated the engravings, with formal thanks given by the Chairman of Brest City Council of Deputies, Nikolay Krasovsky. The latter thanked Mr. Staetsky for the valuable gift, underling its significance for the city. “Here is another act of patronage; one of many being demonstrated in recent times, as is important to our education, legacy and culture,” Mr. Krasovsky noted.
Last autumn, Mr. Staetsky presented two original works by a representative of the Parisian school, Brest-Litovsk-born Jakob Balgley. Speaking of the German engravings, Mr. Staetsky admitted that he doesn’t see himself as an art expert. “I wasn’t impressed by these ‘on paper’ but now see that they’re truly wonderful works. I think they’ll be interesting to museum visitors,” he tells us.
The exhibition-launch gathered heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Brest, artistic personalities and city residents.
By Veronika Stepankova
