On 14 November, the opening of the exhibition “The Infinity of the Creation of Love and Mastery... Historical Theatre and Cinema Costume as Interpreted by the People’s Artist of Russia Eleonora Maklakova” took place at the Russian State Art Library (RSAL), organised in partnership with the Moscow Art Theatre School (MXAT School), Maxim Gorky Central Film Studio of Children and Youth, and The Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre of Moscow.

The exhibition features original sketches by Eleonora Maklakova (1939–2024) and rare books and photographs from RSAL’s collections. For the exhibition, the Maxim Gorky Central Film Studio of Children and Youth provided headwear and accessories from the films The Youth of Peter, Red and Black, and Peter the Great from its collection; the New Opera Theatre provided costumes for the operas Eugene Onegin and First Love; and the stage costume department of MXAT School provided items and authentic details of 19th-century costumes.

Eleonora Maklakova’s associates, students and friends; library and museum specialists; students and teachers at creative universities; and theatre and cinema lovers gathered at the opening of the exhibition.

RSAL Director Ada Kolganova gave a welcoming speech emphasizing Eleonora Maklakova’s significant contribution not only to the creation of costumes for famous films and performances, but also to the development of a unique pedagogical system for training theatre and cinema artists. In her work, Eleonora Maklakova constantly turned to RSAL’s collections and actively involved her students in working with sources. Head of the Stage Costume Department of the MXAT School Regina Khomskaya; Vice-Rector of MXAT School Elena Vasilyeva; actress, director and screenwriter Natalya Bondarchuk; Production Designer Alexander Popov; Professor of the Stage Costume Department of MXAT School Alina Korzhueva; Senior Research Fellow of the State Central Film Museum Emma Malaya; and exhibition curator, chief bibliographer of RSAL’s Visual Information Centre, and Associate Professor of the Stage Costume Department of the MXAT School Natalia Ezdina shared their memories of Eleonora Maklakova.

The speakers unanimously noted that her work is distinguished by meticulous attention to the smallest of details, historical authenticity, and the desire to help reveal the images of the characters.

The exhibition will run until 29 November.