The engraving was used by graphic artists since the 15th century and was common in Belarus in the late 16th and 18th centuries. It is now embodied in small forms of graphics, ex-libris.
The private collection of contemporary ex-libris by bibliophile Alieh Sudliankou is a real treasure. Most of them are ex-libris of masters whose names are now well known among professionals. They are Lembit Lõhmus, Alfred Kosman, Hans Ranzoni, Georg Wiemer, Herbert Toni Schimek, Hubert Woyty-Wimmer, Werner Pfeiler, and Friedrich Teubell.
On January 18, the opening of the exhibition Engraving: Lembit Lõhmus and the Viennese School.
Mr Alies Susha, Deputy Director General of the National Library of Belarus, made an opening speech. He pointed out that the technique of engraving had played a remarkable role in the history of book culture and the fine arts not only in Belarus, but also in the world, and that today we have much to be proud of. He also added that the project, undertaken by the library staff with Mr Alieh Sudliankou, would serve as a basis for developing the art of engraving for young artists and that the works in the exhibition would inspire them to create more artworks in the future.
Mr Jury Hilko, head of the Graphic Art Department of the Belarusian State Academy of Arts, emphasized the utmost professionalism of the artists whose works are on display and the fact that they have managed to pack big cosmos into a small ex-libris format.
Belarusian graphic artist Viktar Sauchanka says that Lembit Lõhmus is a talented man of great heart and a contemporary artist with a unique talent. And his teachers from the Vienna School showed great potential in the small format.
At the end of the event, Mr Alieh Sudliankou, bibliophile, initiator of the exhibition, owner of the collection and friend of Lembit Lõhmus, gave a speech. He explained the intricate technique of engraving (a copper plate is rotated on a leather pad on which an image is carved) and added that Lembit Lõhmus himself works with a microscope.
Valuable old prints with metal engravings from the collection of the National Library complement the exhibition: "Liturgicon" 1692–1695, "Rosarium" 1678, "The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri 1481, "Officia" by Marcus Tullius Cicero 1531.
Exhibition "Engraving: Lembit Lõhmus and the Viennese School" is on show in the Book Museum (room 347) until 10 April 2022.
The end date is subject to change.
The opening hours of the exhibition correspond to the opening hours of the Book Museum.
Admission is by the library card or by the Social and Cultural Centre ticket.
For more info: (+375 17) 293 27 81, 293 27 79.
Book Research Department
