Museum of Western and Eastern Art | Odesa

The Odesa Museum of Western and Eastern Art is one of the most distinguished art museums in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Founded in 1923, it is known for housing a uniquely curated collection that juxtaposes masterpieces of European fine art with refined works from Asia. Located in the heart of Odesa, the museum plays a key role in preserving and promoting global cultural heritage.

History and Building

Establishment:
The museum was established in 1923, incorporating works from the Odesa City Museum of Fine Arts, the University of Odesa, and numerous private collections nationalized during the early Soviet period.

Building:
The museum is housed in the Abaza Palace, built between 1856 and 1858. This aristocratic mansion, originally owned by a wealthy local family, was designed in an eclectic Neoclassical style with Baroque and Rococo elements. It features:

An ornate façade with Corinthian columns

A grand marble staircase

Rich interior detailing, including painted ceilings and period furnishings

The Collection

1. Western European Art

This is the museum’s most famous and extensive section, spanning the 16th to 19th centuries. It features major European schools and is one of Ukraine’s most important public collections of classical European art.

Flemish and Dutch Masters:

Frans Hals – Notably, the paintings Saint Luke and Saint Matthew, which were rediscovered in the museum's storage in 1958, are now internationally recognized.

Gerard David, Abraham Bloemaert, Jan van Scorel – Representing both late Gothic and Northern Renaissance painting.

Italian Renaissance and Baroque:

Works by artists such as Giovanni di Attili and Tintoretto.

Paintings illustrating religious scenes and classical mythology.

French Art:

18th-century portraits and Rococo compositions.

Works in the style of Watteau, Fragonard, and others.

Spanish and German Art:

Lesser-known but high-quality works reflecting courtly and religious themes.

This collection was developed from donations, acquisitions, and state-appropriated private collections during the early Soviet era.

2. Eastern Art

Established in 1951, the Eastern section provides a rare and valuable window into the artistic traditions of Asia, especially East and South Asia.

China and Japan:

Porcelain, lacquerware, fans, and scroll paintings.

Samurai armor, tea utensils, and calligraphy tools.

India, Iran, and Tibet:

Miniature paintings, bronze sculptures, and religious iconography.

Buddhist ritual objects and embroidered silk panels.

Key Features:

Silk paintings, ceremonial weapons, jewelry, and textiles.

A section devoted to religious art, including Buddhist and Islamic decorative arts.

Together, these collections represent both artistic beauty and the everyday craftsmanship of ancient and medieval Asian societies.

Wartime Damage and Preservation

Missile Attack (2023):
In July 2023, the museum sustained blast damage during a missile strike on Odesa's historic center. Parts of the building were impacted, but the most valuable artworks had already been secured or protected.

Evacuation of Masterpieces:
A group of 60 paintings from the Western European collection was evacuated to Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie for safety and exhibition. These works include key pieces by Frans Hals, Jan van Scorel, and 17th-century Flemish painters.

International Collaboration:
The exhibition From Odesa to Berlin: European Painting of the 16th to 19th Century runs until mid-2025. It highlights the cultural value of these works and the effort to preserve them amid conflict.

Visiting the Museum

Location:
9 Italiiska Street, Odesa, Ukraine — centrally located near the Opera House and Deribasovskaya Street.

Opening Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Saturday, Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Closed on Wednesdays

Admission Fees:

Affordable, typically 30–50 UAH for adults, with discounts for students and pensioners.

Guided tours are available in Ukrainian, Russian, and occasionally in English.

Exhibits and Layout:

The museum is organized chronologically and geographically.

Western and Eastern sections are located on separate floors, and temporary exhibitions are often held in side galleries or the main hall.

Why Visit?

Diverse and High-Quality Collection:
Few museums in Ukraine offer such a broad representation of both European fine art and Asian decorative traditions under one roof.

Architectural Setting:
The museum itself is a historical attraction, preserving the atmosphere of a 19th-century aristocratic residence.

Cultural Preservation:
Visiting the museum supports ongoing efforts to protect Ukrainian cultural heritage amid war and political uncertainty.

Educational and Aesthetic Value:
An ideal destination for art lovers, students, researchers, and tourists looking to engage with world art in a local context.

The Odesa Museum of Western and Eastern Art is more than just a gallery—it's a bridge between cultures and centuries. Despite adversity, it remains a vibrant center of artistic beauty, global history, and Ukrainian resilience.