A painting that had been on display at the fire brigade’s exhibition for over a quarter of a century has been returned to the Vereshchahin Museum in Mykolaiv

A painting by the artist Alphonse Zhaba, entitled «To the Fire», has been returned to the Vasyl Vereshchagin Mykolaiv Regional Art Museum. Photo: the museum’s Facebook page

The painting «To the Fire» by the artist Alphonse Zhaba has been returned to the Mykolaiv Regional Art Museum named after Vasyl Vereshchagin. Previously, the painting had been on display for many years in an exhibition dedicated to the history of the fire service in the Mykolaiv region.

The return of the painting was announced on the museum’s Facebook page.

Alphonse Zhaba painted «To the Fire» over a hundred years ago. The large canvas depicts firefighters and is dedicated to their work. It has been part of the Mykolaiv Art Museum’s collection almost since its foundation.

In January 1999, the museum loaned the painting for display at a fire and technical exhibition organised by the then State Fire Service. It was placed in the history hall, where visitors were told about the development of the fire service.

The painting «To the Fire» by the artist Alphonse Zhabi has been returned to the Vasyl Vereshchahin Mykolaiv Regional Art Museum. Photo: the museum’s Facebook page

Alfons Zhaba’s painting «To the Fire» has been returned to the Mykolaiv Regional Art Museum named after Vasyl Vereshchahin. Photo: the museum’s Facebook page

Alfons Zhaba’s painting «To the Fire» has been returned to the Vasyl Vereshchahin Mykolaiv Regional Art Museum. Photo: the museum’s Facebook page

The painting subsequently required restoration. According to local media reports, the painting was restored with the involvement of museum specialists and the support of benefactors. Following restoration, it was returned to the fire service’s exhibition centre.

Now, Alfons Zhaba’s work has returned to the Vereshchahin Art Museum. It is planned to be displayed in the music and art lounge, where visitors will once again be able to view the painting.

«There are paintings that become part of a museum’s history, its memory and its soul. The huge canvas by Alphonse Kostiantynovych Zhaba is precisely such a work,» wrote the museum staff.

The museum notes that the painting has been part of its collection almost since the institution first opened. Its return is therefore regarded as an important milestone for the preservation of the museum’s history.

Alfons Zhaba’s painting «To the Fire» has been returned to the Vasyl Vereshchagin Mykolaiv Regional Art Museum. Photo: the museum’s Facebook page

The painting «To the Fire» by the artist Alphonse Zhabi has been returned to the Vasyl Vereshchagin Mykolaiv Regional Art Museum. Photo: the museum’s Facebook page

As a reminder, in early February 2023, the museum resumed its exhibition activities and began welcoming visitors once again. Throughout 2023, the police provided security for the museum’s cultural assets. The cost of this service amounted to over 1 million hryvnias.

In 2024, NikVesti reported that the museum was operating under specific wartime conditions: some of its own exhibits remained hidden, whilst exhibitions were organised, in particular, using works from private collectors.