The real treasure of art is an artistic collection of Zhytomyr History Museum, where every masterpiece is worth telling an interesting story about it. Among monuments of Western-European pieces of art are those which belong to world-class masterpieces. They are sophisticated, harmoniously clear, absolute and mysterious…

The portrait “Woman in the interior” is the work of great and enigmatic Karel Slabbert.

One of the most precious paintings is one and only among post-soviet museum spaces. It is known a little about Slabbert, even all-knowing Google or Wikipedia are speechless. It is reported, that he was born in 1619, has lived for 35 years and got married being 26 in Amsterdam.
As an artist, he has been getting experience and knowledge in Leiden, where he was keeping in touch with Rembrandt.
Some of Western fine art experts reckon that Karel has had lectures in an exclusive Leiden’s university. Having been perfectly knowledgeable about art, well-known among aristocratic people, Slabbert moved to Middelburg, where he joined a professional community of artists guild.
Membership in the guild required being a local citizen, having own accommodation, being married and having status of acknowledged master. The membership has given benefits in society, e.g. access to high and well-paid positions, opening your own workshop on easy terms, selling your own paintings officially with the special “quality” brand. The gild guaranteed social security in case of disease or poverty, took upon itself a burial of dead artist.
“Woman in the interior” is worn in fashionable and sophisticated dress, but quite down-dressed. White lacy pelerine and white fan jammy tone beautiful but a little sad face. Fine art experts admit, that the artist has depicted his wife and set the goal to show her inner world: there is a book on the table next to harpsichord, where it is written ‘Music is partner of healthy people; medicine is a fellow of sick.” “Tobias and The Angel” painting on the wall shows artistic preferences of the host. It’s also Slabbert’s work: those times artists often used such technique.
Every time when there’s an opportunity, I look at the “Woman in the interior” and I’m pleased to look in the light of time. I recommend you to come and observe the rooms of our museum, where unique paintings of world-known artists are exhibited.
Serhii Sobchuk, a member of National Union of Ethnographers in Ukraine
Photos from personal record of S.Sobchyk were used in article

Translated by Aliona Matushevich