Venice Museums Are Sending Supplies To Ukraine To Protect Its Art

The Lviv National Art Gallery in Ukraine. Photo 31166397 © Ukrainian photographer Alexander Solentsov | Dreamstime.com

Cultures may differ greatly, but they’re also the bridge that unites us. To help preserve Ukraine’s vulnerable art collections, the circle of Civic Museums in Venice has answered an appeal by Ukrainian art and culture officials to send over protective materials to the Lviv National Art Gallery so that its art can stay safely hidden from damage in the war with Russia.

The plea comes from Save Ukraine Art 22, a campaign run by public and private entities, as well as museums, which asks that allies around the world donate packaging materials that are waterproof, fireproof, and good for safekeeping.

In response, the Venetian art institutions are sending protective cloths, high-resistance foam panels, and data loggers to monitor changes in humidity and temperature, the Art Newspaper reports.

The Lviv National Gallery, which consists of 18 museums and some 67,000 works, has hidden some of its collection in an undisclosed building, which is subject to damage.

The  Save Ukraine Art 22 network is making a plea for other countries to chip in, stressing that while essentials like food, medication, and medical aid are regularly being flown in, Ukraine’s cultural sector remains heavily exposed to the conflict.

[via The Art Newspaper and The Italian Insider, cover photo 31166397 © Ukrainian photographer Alexander Solentsov | Dreamstime.com]