Dance, Light and Harmony

Dance, Light and Harmony, a thematic book and illustrative exhibition, runs in the fine arts room (306), from 12 March to 5 April.

The exposition reveals the theme of dance in fine arts of different historical periods. Since the Renaissance, the dance had been portrayed more and more realistic. The reproductions of works by such outstanding artists as Albrecht Dürer (“Dance with Torches in Augsburg”), Sandro Botticelli (“Three Graces”, a piece of the painting “Spring”), Peter Bruegel the Elder (“The Peasant Dance”, “Dancing on a Peasant Wedding”) and others are on display. The images of the dance of the 16th – 18th centuries allow you to trace the formation of the art of choreography. A striking example is the painting "The Dancer Camargo", a reproduction of which is located in the central part of the exhibition. The French Rococo artist Nicola Lancre depicted the famous ballerina of the time.

The exhibition shows a significant layer of the artistic heritage of French artists of the late 19th and early 20th century. The most famous "painter of dancers" is Edgar Degas, who devoted most of his work to ballet. The reproductions of the most significant paintings: "Blue Dancers", "Dance Class", "Prima", "Dancers on the stage" and many others are presented. The section also includes the reproductions of works by such famous masters as Auguste Renoir (“Moulin de la Gallet”, “The Dancer”, “Dance in the City”, “Dance Outside the City”), Henri Toulouse-Lautrec (“Occupations of Valentine with New Girls”, "Seated Dancer in Pink Stockings"), and Henri Matisse ("Dance").

The final part of the exhibition presents works of Russian artists of the late 19th and mid 20th century, who glorified the ballet in their works. The images of famous ballerinas are depicted in the works of Valentin Serov (“Anna Pavlova in the Ballet Sylphs”, “Portrait of Ballerina Tamara Karsavina”), and also the sculptures of Elena Janson-Manizer, who depicted in dance Ulanova, Plisetskaya, Bezsmertnova, Vlasov, Liepa and other great ballet dancers. A special place is given to the albums by Lev Bakst, an artist who became one of the symbols of the Belle Époque. Demonstration The reproductions of sketches of costumes for ballets in the famous "Russian Seasons" in Paris are on display.

Over 60 documents are on display.

The opening hours of the exhibition correspond to the library’s opening hours.
Admission is by library card or by ticket of the library's social and cultural center. Information and tickets may be obtained at the registration desk.

For more info: (+375 17) 293 27 53.

Special Collections Service Department