Exhibitions abroad: Leo Tolstoy’s belongings go on show in Italy

A unique collection of personal belongings of Leo Tolstoy has been put on display at Giacomo Leopardi Museum in Italy. Household items and books from the library of the Russian writer - exhibits of “Yasnaya Polyana” Museum in Tula - have been unveiled to Italian counterparts.

The exhibition has opened within the Cultural Exchange Year for Russia and Italy.

Vladimir Tolstoy – writer’s great grandson said that the exhibition “Leopardi-Tolstoy: breath of eternity" -  is a joint international project undertaken by the Russian Museum “Yasnaya Polyana”, Marche Region Administration, Giacomo Leopardi Center and  Leopardi Museum in Recanati (Italy).

“The exposition unveils books from Leo Tolstoy’s private library, including books by Italian authors in original, writer’s personal belongings", Vladimir Tolstoy added.

Of special value are exhibits related to Italy. They feature letters written by Tatyana Tolstaya, writer’s elder daughter, while in Rome, Italian postcards of early 20th century. On display is a part of the archive of Tatyana Lvovna, who in the 1920s emigrated from Russia and spent many years in Rome, -her drawings, diary and foreign passport.

In addition, Italian public will have a chance to see Yasnaya Polyana landscapes by Russian artists, such as Konstantinov, Moskalenko and Valagzhuyev.

The exhibition in Italy will run until August 2. After that it will return back to Russia and on October 1 the exhibition will be staged in Yasnaya Polyana, Vladimir Tolstoy said.