The Mysteries of Old Woodcuts

The exhibit “The Mysteries of Old Woodcuts” was launched on October 26. It presents masterpieces of European graphics from the collection of Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko Art Museum, which allows one to comprehend unique features of the art of etching in close look.

“When looking at rare works by masters of genius such as Albrecht Duerer, Lucas van Leyden, and Rembrandt, visitors of the exhibit will have a chance to open not only the exquisite beauty of etchings, but also mysteries of the youngest European art,” Olena SHOSTAK, tutor of the exhibit, head of the department of graphics at the Khanenko Museum told The Day. “Kyivites and guests of the city will find out when and how etching appeared, why it is unique, why masters of the past were so keen on complicated and time-consuming techniques and how a plank for wood-cutting can be handled and a lot of other interesting things. The exhibit presents early German xylographs, works of great masters, in particular, a rare etching, one of the first in Europe, made by Albrecht Duerer, first town maps, graphic works on political topics, models for those who study academic drawing and works created in forgotten techniques of mezzotint and chiaroscuro.”