History of Russia: Unique exhibition “Iset diptych” kicks off in Yekaterinburg

On August 18, 2011 the Museum of History of Yekaterinburg opened the “Iset diptych” exhibition. This exhibition remembers city’s founders and is timed to the 325th anniversary of Vasily N. Tatishchev and 335th anniversary of Georg Wilhelm de Gennin. Their names are immortalized in the names of streets in Yekaterinburg. In the very heart of the city there is a monument dedicated to them. However so far no research work has been undertaken to study the relations of these personalities, differences and similarities of their approaches, contribution of both of them to the city’s foundation and the accompanying circumstances.

“Iset diptych” exhibition – is the first step in this direction, a unique event for cultural and public life of Yekaterinburg.

The exhibition revives two portraits, two worlds, two different personalities. Tatishchev – was the embodiment of “Russian” tradition and humanism approach, an aspiration to include Yekaterinburg in the all-Russian situation. Gennin – was the supporter of European tradition, person of technical mentality, who was trying to establish a particular status for Yekaterinburg and state-owned plants. 

The exposition reveals unique documents and artefacts which date back to 17th–18th cc.: handwritten maps, plans and drawings of plants, rare religious books and secular editions from Tatishchev’s library, items of mining industry: coins, made at Yekaterinburg Mint, copper utensils, cannons and cannonballs; finds from excavations of Uktus factory, sculpture and paintings.

The large scale of the project is highlighted by the long list of partners: the State Historical Museum (Moscow), Museum of History of St. Petersburg, Museum of History of Religion (St. Petersburg), Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts, Nizhniy Tagil Museum Reserve “Mining Ural”, Irbit Museum of History and Ethnography, Ural Geological Museum, “Nevyansk Icon” Museum, Regional Museum of the History of Medicine, Representation of the Republic of Bashkortostan in Sverdlovsk Region.