Ivan Kotliarevskyi is a Ukrainian writer, whose works went far beyond the boundaries of literature due to their influence on the formation of Ukrainian national thought. First of all, the burlesque poem «Aeneid» became an important phenomenon of modern Ukrainian nation-building. He was born in the city of Poltava in 1769, where he spent most of his life.
Engraving. Fragment (1809)National Museum of the History of Ukraine
Portrait of Ivan Kotliarevskyi in military uniform (1929) by H. HabaievNational Museum of the History of Ukraine
Portrait of Ivan Kotliarevskyi in military uniform
Military service as an officer in its own way influenced not only his later life, but also his creativity. In particular, his «Aeneid» reflects such realities of military life that can be seen and learned only from personal experience.
Pistol (Late 18th century)National Museum of the History of Ukraine
Broadsword (Late 18th century)National Museum of the History of Ukraine
Broadsword and pistol of the Russian army of the end of the 18th century.
Kotliarevskyi had a similar weapon for years. Therefore, it is not surprising that the heroes of the «Aeneid» in his performance often go to battle with palash in their hands.
Engraving. Engraving.National Museum of the History of Ukraine
Engraving of 1809 with the view of Oleksandrivska Square in Poltava. It was at this time that Ivan Kotliarevskyi returned to his hometown after being discharged from military service.
Masonic lodges were popular in the Russian Empire at the time of Ivan Kotliarevskyi. He was a member of the Poltava Lodge «Love for Truth».
Masonic apronNational Museum of the History of Ukraine
Masonic symbols and signs that intrigue with their mystery.
Masonic insigniasNational Museum of the History of Ukraine
Masonic insigniasNational Museum of the History of Ukraine
Shtof is a container for drinks made of colored glass from the end of the 18th century, an everyday object of Cossack Ukraine, which Kotliarevskyi so vividly conveyed in the poem «Aeneid».
Bowls are simple folk dishes of the 19th and early 20th centuries, from which the ancient heroes ate in Kotliarevskyi's retelling.
Clay plates and wooden spoons (Late 19th century)National Museum of the History of Ukraine
Tableware of the end of the 19th century
Manuscript copy of the edition of Aeneid. Title (Early 19th century)National Museum of the History of Ukraine
Handwritten copy of the 1798 edition of the poem «Aeneid»
Produced at the beginning of the 19th century, the book met the needs of a wider range of readers of this popular work by Ivan Kotliarevskyi.
Manuscript copy of the edition of Aeneid. Pages (Early 19th century)National Museum of the History of Ukraine
Handwritten copy of the 1798 edition of the poem «Aeneid». Firs Page
Map "Ukraine, Land of the Cossacks" (1746) by Johann HomannNational Museum of the History of Ukraine
Map «Ukraine – Land of the Cossacks».
Johann Homan. Germany, Nuremberg. 1746.
This land became the arena of heroism of Kotliarevskyi's ancestors. The author was inspired by their memory to dress the legendary ancient heroes in Cossack clothes.
Research and text: Vladyslav Bezpalko
Project Сurator: Bohdan Patryliak
Technical implementation: Oleg Mitiukhin, Oksana Mitiukhina, Liudmila Klymuk
Text editor: Oksana Kovalyova
Translation: Dmytro Mitiukhin
Selection of exhibits: Olena Ivanova
Photographer: Dmytro Klochko, Oleg Mitiukhin
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