Belarusian sculpture of the 17th–18th century

On January 26, at 17:00 in the exhibition building of the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus (Karl Marx St., 24) the opening of the exhibition “Belarusian sculpture of the 17th–18th century” will take place. The exhibition presents more than 80 works of religious wooden sculpture and carving from the museum’s funds created between the first half of the 17th and late 18th century.

The exhibits come from different regions of the country and indicate an high professional level of development of the art of sculpture throughout Belarus.It was in the 17th century that religious carved sculpture emerged as a significant phenomenon in Belarusian art, becominga widespread, flourishing stapleof Catholic churches, while also findinga place in the decoration of churches of Eastern Christian denominations. Higly artistic works of ornamental wood carving made for Orthodox churchesof the 17th–18th centuryare also going to be presented to the viewer.

Some works are displayed to the general public for the first time: statues of Archangels from Pinsk, St. Wojciech from Grodna, the holy Bishop of Rome from Sharashova, Apostle Paul from Ros, etc. Also on view after a long restorationis the Crucifix from Lauryshava. For many works, attributions have been clarified (Apostle John and Virgin Mary from the sculptural group of the Crucifixion from Sharashova, St. Ambrose from Slonim, a sculptural ensemble from the Magiliou region, etc.). 

Thus, the exhibition is the result of many years of work – gathering, restoration and study of the extremely representative collection of ancient Belarusian sculpture of the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus.

Exhibition curator – Stanislau Chavus, leading researcher of the Department of Ancient Belarusian Art