#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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Events Archive

Opening of the Exhibition "And They Saw the Voices..."

October 10, 2024

On October 10, the opening of the exhibition "And They Saw the Voices..." took place in the lobby of the National Museum of History of Moldova, bringing together representatives of the accredited diplomatic corps in Moldova, Jewish organizations, and representatives from other museums and institutions in the country. This event was dedicated to discussions about the tragedies of October 7, 2023, and the vital role of art in the emotional healing process.

The exhibition featured 30 drawings created by children evacuated from Ashkelon, who found solace in art therapy after the bombings on October 7, 2023. These works reflected not only the trauma experienced but also the power of regeneration and the hope found in the creative process.

The ceremony was opened by Irina Șihova, the director of the Jewish History Museum, who emphasized: "This is not a political statement, but a story about trauma, art, and healing."

Additionally, Chief Rabbi Pinchas Zalțman paid tribute to the exhibition, highlighting its importance in promoting community cohesion through art. He noted that in times of hardship and suffering, art becomes a common language that can transcend cultural and religious barriers, bringing people together to share experiences and emotions.

Vladimir Boroda, director of the MAALOT Association, stated: "This exhibition demonstrates how art can unite different perspectives, transforming suffering into beauty."

Throughout the event, the art teacher discussed the importance of art in the healing process, presenting the exhibited works and sharing the stories behind them. Among these were the drawing "Boom" by 10-year-old Aviv Shilo, which conveys a powerful message of hope, and the piece "Dance of Death" by student Filip Beleavschi, exploring themes of death and loss. Another notable work, "The Sounds of Sirens and Rockets," addressed the traumatic effects of conflicts, prompting viewers to reflect on the impact of these experiences.

Each drawing offered a window into the emotional world of these young artists, highlighting the significance of art as a form of expression and healing.

This exhibition became a space for meeting and dialogue, where compassion and empathy were essential, providing a unique opportunity to explore how art can unite communities and support the emotional healing process.

The exhibition is open until October 20, 2024, inviting the public to explore and reflect on the messages conveyed through art.