#Exhibit of the Month

The main parts of the camera include the body, bellows, lens, and viewfinder system. The body consists of two lacquered walnut wood frames, joined by a folding black textile bellows that allows the necessary extension for focusing. On the front panel is the Agfa anastigmat lens, mounted in a Compur-type shutter produced by F. Deckel in Munich. It features a foldable "brilliant" viewfinder for both portrait and landscape orientation. It uses glass photographic plates coated with a photographic emulsion, mounted in walnut wood holders, with a frame size of 9x12 cm.
The walnut wood model, considered the flagship "Agfa Isolar Luxus," was designed by the A.H. Rietzschel factory in Munich, acquired by AGFA in 1925, which continued producing this type of camera under its own name until the late 1920s.
The piece was restored by Mihail Culașco, Restoration Department of NMHM.
Brief History of the Camera
The history of the camera spans 200 years, evolving from the camera obscura to today's digital devices. Key milestones include: the first permanent photograph in 1826 by French physicist Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, using a wooden box and a plate coated with bitumen of Judea; the invention of the first photographic process - daguerreotype - in 1839 by Frenchman Louis Daguerre, marking the official birth of photography; the invention of calotype, based on the negative/positive principle, by British physicist and chemist Fox Talbot; the invention of wet collodion plates by Englishman Frederick Scott Archer and dry glass plates by Richard Leach Maddox and John Huds Bennet; the introduction of flexible roll film and the launch of the first Kodak camera by American inventor George Eastman; the release of the first 35 mm film camera by German company "Leica"; the launch of the first instant camera "Polaroid," invented by American Edwin Land. Finally, starting in 1975, this path led to the digital photography revolution. Each successive step made cameras smaller and faster, significantly improving image quality.
The first photographic studio in Chișinău was opened in 1854 by Eduard Glewski, and before World War I, there were already about 100 photography studios in Bessarabia.
The collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova includes over 30 cameras, made in Austria, Germany, France, USSR, Japan, and China, dating from the late 19th century to the 2000s. Among them are folding bellows cameras, BOX-type cameras, single-lens reflex (SLR) and twin-lens reflex (TLR) cameras, as well as digital (DSLR) cameras.

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Exhibitions

„From Stray to Star”

October 15 - November 15, 2024

From October 15 to November 15, 2024, the National Museum of History of Moldova will host the exhibition "From Stray to Star," organized by the Animal Protection Association "DOCTOR VET" in collaboration with FOUR PAWS International. This initiative is part of a partnership program with the Chișinău City Hall aimed at addressing the issue of stray animals.

In a world where stray animals are often overlooked, the exhibition "From Stray to Star," created by award-winning photographer Sophie Gamand, known for her work in animal rights, serves as a ray of hope and recognition for homeless animals. During her first visit to Moldova in 2023, Sophie was deeply moved by the spirit of stray dogs and the harsh conditions they endure. This experience inspired her to launch a project that highlights the personalities of these dogs through stunning photographs, giving them a voice and emphasizing that each one deserves a loving home.

The exhibition will bring together the local community and animal lovers, providing an opportunity to reflect on our relationship with these vulnerable beings. Sophie Gamand not only documents the lives of these dogs but transforms each image into a story that touches the heart of the viewer. Behind every photograph lies a narrative of hope, struggle, and the desire to find a home.

This project was made possible with the support of FOUR PAWS, which has been promoting animal welfare globally since 1988. With over 25 years of experience, FOUR PAWS provides sustainable solutions for companion animals, farm animals, and wildlife in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and Southern Africa.

The "DOCTOR VET" Association also played a crucial role in organizing this exhibition by supporting stray dogs and cats through their rescue and care efforts. Through the veterinary clinic opened in 2020 and the "Capture - Sterilize - Vaccinate - Release" program, the organization actively contributes to reducing the number of stray animals, thus inspiring this artistic initiative.

The exhibition "From Stray to Star" is not just an artistic display; it is an invitation to reflection and action. Through this exhibition, we aim to inspire the community to actively engage in improving the welfare of animals in Moldova and to recognize their values and contributions to society. Stray dogs have stories to tell, and Sophie Gamand's exhibition gives them the chance to be heard.

We invite you to discover these touching stories and join the efforts to change the lives of these dogs, providing them not only a glimpse into their past but also hope for a better future.

The exhibition will be open until November 15, 2024