A remarkable exhibition has opened at the Gemäldegalerie, showcasing 60 artworks evacuated from the Odesa Museum of Western and Eastern Art in Ukraine. The exhibition, running until June 22, features masterpieces by artists such as Frans Hals, Cornelis de Heem, Bernardo Strozzi, and Francesco Granacci, displayed alongside works from the Gemäldegalerie’s collection.
The Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, which oversees the Gemäldegalerie, emphasized the exhibition’s significance:
“This exhibition underscores that Ukraine’s endangered museums and their collections are part of European culture, as well as an integral part of Ukrainian identity.”
Ukrainian visitors can enjoy free admission to the exhibition, which also offers information and catalogs in Ukrainian, ensuring accessibility for the country’s citizens.Founded in 1923, the Odesa Museum of Western and Eastern Art is renowned for its extensive collection, which spans European painting, sculpture, engravings, and applied arts from the Renaissance to the 20th century.
Following the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, the museum’s most significant works were moved to an emergency shelter within Ukraine to safeguard them. In September 2023, a selection of 74 artworks was transported to Berlin, with 60 pieces now on display in this extraordinary exhibition.
