#Exhibit of the Month

This remarkable portrait of Mihai Eminescu, created by artist Alexandru Gușanov, is based on one of the four known photographs of the poet. The photograph that inspired this portrait was taken in 1869 in Wenceslas Square, Prague, when Eminescu was only 19 years old. The oval composition and harmonious color palette highlight the prominent personality and charisma of the young poet, capturing an expression that conveys both melancholy and intellectual depth.
Alexandru Gușanov (1929-2005), a Moldovan painter of Ukrainian origin, distinguished himself through his extensive work, comprising approximately 5,000 pieces - portraits, landscapes, and still life paintings. Settled in Moldova since 1945, Gușanov graduated from the Republican Art School "I.E. Repin" in Chișinău in 1952. His works were showcased in numerous national and international exhibitions and were highly appreciated in countries such as France, Hungary, Russia, and Yugoslavia. The artist dedicated a significant part of his career to creating portraits of historical and cultural figures, including Dimitrie Cantemir, Mihail Kogălniceanu, and Alexei Mateevici, which are part of the National Museum of History of Moldova's collection.

The subject of the portrait, Mihai Eminescu (1850-1889), is the most significant poet in Romanian literature, whose works reflect profound thought, sensitivity toward nature, and national identity. At the age of 19, when the photograph that inspired this portrait was taken, Eminescu was in the midst of his intellectual formation, preparing to become the iconic voice of Romanian culture. Among his most famous works is the poem Luceafărul (The Morning Star), a masterpiece of universal literature.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

„Polish illustrations for children in Chisinau”

June 1-30, 2022

Their works win awards around the world. The images they create take readers into a fairytale world, opening an extraordinary portal to the realm of fantasy. The titles signed with their names are used fervently not only by the youngest, because the illustrations they create are true works of art. These are the most important Polish illustrators and designers of children's books. At the National Museum of the History of Moldova in Chisinau you can see some examples of those wonderful works.

Polish School of Illustration - a term created in the 60ʼs, used for a group of Polish illustrators who have gained international recognition. They illustrated children's books.

The beginning of the Polish School of Illustration dates back to the second half of the 50ʼs. The socio-political situation in Poland after 1956 had a great influence on the shaping of this cultural and historical phenomenon. New opportunities appeared for the authors of that time, the profile of publishing activities was defined and the publishing movement was centralized. The Ministry of Culture and Art raised the problem of children's books at a high level, which allowed the first-class implementation of the children's book plan.

Artists during the People's Republic of Poland, due to the prevailing doctrine of socialist realism, focused on profitable, practical artistic works such as: designing postcards, advertising prints or designing book illustrations. In retrospect, this situation brought positive results. Then, thanks to this, in the years 1950-1980, a group of illustrators-visual artists, referred to as the Polish School of Illustration, developed.

This group of illustrators represented exceptional artistic originality and used innovative solutions. The artists used various techniques, created works characterized by a sense of humor and created poetry in their visual message, which was distinguished by an extraordinary freedom of expression. All these phenomena resulted in the fact that the Polish School of Illustration gained international recognition and ensured a very high position of Polish illustration in the world.

The exhibition "Polish School of Illustration" can be seen on the fence of the National Museum of History of Moldova, Chisinau, 31 August 1989 street, 121A, June 1-30, 2022.

#Exhibit of the Month

Portrait of Mihai Eminescu by Alexandru Gușanov

„Polish illustrations for children in Chisinau”

June 1-30, 2022

#Exhibit of the Month