KBSU students participated in the restoration of paintings in the Pereslavl Museum-Reserve

Students of the College of Design of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov, majoring in Restoration, Lyana Karmova and Ilona Etuyeva took part in the field restoration school for artists «Restoration of oil painting dedicated to the era of socialist realism», which was held in Pereslavl-Zalessky, Yaroslavl region.

The organizers of the project are the Union of Restorers of Russia and the Pereslavl Museum-Reserve. The expedition was attended by six students-restorers from the St. Petersburg Art and Industry Academy. A.L. Stieglitz, St. Petersburg Institute of Culture and Design College of KBSU.

Under the guidance of the scientific adviser, artist-restorer of the first category Irina Vladimirova, young specialists carried out restoration work on the painting «On the Scaffolding of the Bolshoi Theater» by artist Viktor Popkov, as well as the works «Stairway leading to the Alexander Nevsky Church» and «Porch and Doghouse» by O. L. Della Vos Cardovskoy from the museum collection.

We took part in all restoration activities: strengthening in areas of delamination of the paint layer, eliminating deformations, removing dirt from the face and back surfaces, applying primer, tinting in places of loss, wiping with varnish.
To be honest, a lot of things were new. We have gained invaluable experience in working with works of art. I am grateful to Irina Nikolaevna for the huge store of knowledge that she shared with us,

– said Lyana Karmova.

Students enthusiastically speak about the trip to Pereslavl-Zalessky:

This is a truly amazing city with its own history and culture. We visited the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior, the Goritsky Assumption Monastery and the museum-estate «The Boat of Peter the Great», the excursions did not leave anyone indifferent,

– shared Lyana Karmova.

Ilona Etueva also noted the hospitality and kindness of the staff of the Pereslavl Museum-Reserve.

I believe that my future profession as a restorer is unique. It’s so interesting to prolong the life of works of art. We, the restorers, seem to be touching history, and our goal is to carefully and accurately preserve the original appearance of this or that masterpiece. For me, a trip to the Yaroslavl region has become a good practice. And it’s so nice to know that Viktor Popkov’s «On the Scaffolding of the Bolshoi Theater» now has a piece of my work,

— Ilona Etueva commented.

It should be noted that in 2024 the painting «On the Scaffolding of the Bolshoi Theater» will be exhibited at the State Tretyakov Gallery at the personal exhibition of Viktor Popkov’s works.

Ilona Etueva and Lyana Karmova thank the leadership of the College of Design and KBSU for the opportunity to participate in the visiting school of restorers.