Alexey Zel Glass Museum

About museum

On December 28, 2016, the Kaluga Museum of Fine Arts opened a new exhibition in one of the buildings of the architectural monument of federal significance 'Gostinye Ryady': the only Alexey Zel Glass Museum in Russia.
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\r\nThe name of the Moscow artist Alexey Zel, who worked with quartz glass — a material unconventional for Russian (and indeed global) glassmaking — has long been known to enthusiasts of applied art. The combination of the artist's talent and virtuoso craftsmanship in one person made it possible to create works without counterparts in the world.
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\r\nAlexey Zel's creations have been recognized by experts of the highest level, and in 1993 he was awarded the title 'People's Artist of Russia'.
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\r\nFrom the simple 'Empire' candlesticks (1979) began a whole series of works, among which are pieces skillful in technique, such as the nine-branched candelabrum 'Latgalian' (1984), and complex artistic-compositional works such as 'Rowan' (1988), 'Grapes' (1988), 'Holy Rus'' (1989).
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\r\nThese and many other works are presented in the museum's permanent exhibition.