#Exhibit of the Month

The main parts of the camera include the body, bellows, lens, and viewfinder system. The body consists of two lacquered walnut wood frames, joined by a folding black textile bellows that allows the necessary extension for focusing. On the front panel is the Agfa anastigmat lens, mounted in a Compur-type shutter produced by F. Deckel in Munich. It features a foldable "brilliant" viewfinder for both portrait and landscape orientation. It uses glass photographic plates coated with a photographic emulsion, mounted in walnut wood holders, with a frame size of 9x12 cm.
The walnut wood model, considered the flagship "Agfa Isolar Luxus," was designed by the A.H. Rietzschel factory in Munich, acquired by AGFA in 1925, which continued producing this type of camera under its own name until the late 1920s.
The piece was restored by Mihail Culașco, Restoration Department of NMHM.
Brief History of the Camera
The history of the camera spans 200 years, evolving from the camera obscura to today's digital devices. Key milestones include: the first permanent photograph in 1826 by French physicist Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, using a wooden box and a plate coated with bitumen of Judea; the invention of the first photographic process - daguerreotype - in 1839 by Frenchman Louis Daguerre, marking the official birth of photography; the invention of calotype, based on the negative/positive principle, by British physicist and chemist Fox Talbot; the invention of wet collodion plates by Englishman Frederick Scott Archer and dry glass plates by Richard Leach Maddox and John Huds Bennet; the introduction of flexible roll film and the launch of the first Kodak camera by American inventor George Eastman; the release of the first 35 mm film camera by German company "Leica"; the launch of the first instant camera "Polaroid," invented by American Edwin Land. Finally, starting in 1975, this path led to the digital photography revolution. Each successive step made cameras smaller and faster, significantly improving image quality.
The first photographic studio in Chișinău was opened in 1854 by Eduard Glewski, and before World War I, there were already about 100 photography studios in Bessarabia.
The collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova includes over 30 cameras, made in Austria, Germany, France, USSR, Japan, and China, dating from the late 19th century to the 2000s. Among them are folding bellows cameras, BOX-type cameras, single-lens reflex (SLR) and twin-lens reflex (TLR) cameras, as well as digital (DSLR) cameras.

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Exhibitions

"And They Saw the Voices..."

October 10 – 20, 2024

From October 10 to 20, 2024, the National Museum of History of Moldova will host the exhibition "And They Saw the Voices...", an event dedicated to commemorating the tragic events of October 7, 2023, which marked a turning point in Israel's history. This remarkable initiative is organized by the Museum of Jewish History in the Republic of Moldova, in partnership with the National Museum of History of Moldova and the Maalot Association, with the support of the Embassy of Israel and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova.

The opening ceremony of the event will take place on October 10 at 4:00 PM in the courtyard of the National Museum of History of Moldova. The exhibition is more than just an art presentation; it is a window into the souls and emotions of children from southern Israel who have been profoundly affected by recent events. The displayed works were created during art therapy sessions, providing an opportunity for these young artists to express their feelings and experiences.

Each drawing tells its own story, reflecting the thoughts, fears, and hopes of the children. Among the exhibited works is a creation by Aviv Shilo, a talented 10-year-old artist, who produced a drawing entitled "Boom." This piece is accompanied by a powerful and emotional message: "Whatever happens - Israel will prevail." This message of hope resonates deeply, reminding us of human strength and determination, even in the most challenging times.

The exhibition "And They Saw the Voices..." is not just an opportunity to admire the artistic works of these children but also a chance to reflect on the impact that tragic events have on younger generations. Through art, children succeed in expressing their feelings and making their voices heard, reminding us all of the importance of compassion and understanding.

We invite the public to join this moving experience and discover the power of art to unify and heal. This exhibition is a perfect example of how art can transcend barriers and create connections between communities.

The exhibition will remain open until October 20, 2024, providing everyone the opportunity to connect with these powerful stories.