On the occasion of the European Night of Museums, a precious work of graphic art will be exhibited for the first time at the Moldovan National Museum of Art. Dating from the early nineteenth century, Lucretia Spinning is an engraving masterpiece by Joel Ballin, based on a painting by Joseph Coomans.
The artwork has been in the Museum’s collection for 20 years and underwent restoration only once, in 2018.
On display for only two days, the graphic art to be exhibited on the Night of Museums includes many other outstanding works. According to the Museum’s director Tudor Zbârnea, graphics are among the most sensitive museum pieces in terms of influence of external factors: “Their exposure for longer periods may affect their state of preservation”.
Tamara Diaconescu, head of the Museum’s graphic art department, commented on Lucretia Spinning: “The work is based on a well-known historical subject. According to one version of this story, during a break between battles, the son of the Etruscan king and Collatinus, Lucretia’s husband, began to discuss their wives. Everyone praised his wife for being virtuous and faithful. To convince himself that this is the case, Collatinus proposed to go home to each one and see what they were doing. Riding on horses, they reached Rome in a few hours. The king’s sons’ wives were caught partying with their girlfriends. When they entered Collatinus’ house, they saw Lucretia surrounded by her maids, spinning yarn. Thus, the dispute was won by Collatinus, but at what cost? It is this scene that is represented in Joel Ballin’ engraving, which is a special elaboration that brings Lucretia’s virtues to the foreground”.
Those interested in seeing Lucretia Spinning may find the work in the Universal Art Galleries, from 11:00 to 23:00 on Saturday and from 11:00 to 18:00 on Sunday.
