MALDZIS Initiative Buys 30 Lithographs by Artist and Composer Napoleon Orda

Here and further photos by Alina Mazavets

The MALDZIS initiative has purchased 30 lithographs by artist and composer Napoleon Orda, originally from the village of Varacevichy in the Brest region. 19 of them are dedicated to landscapes and architectural monuments within modern Belarus, while the rest relate to modern-day Lithuania, Ukraine, and Poland, the initiative reports.

The acquired collection includes images of castles, palaces, churches, and manors in Belarusian towns and villages such as Shaury, Lida, Kreva, Heraniony, Heistuny, Dzyavyatnya, Zhamyslaul, Niasvizh, Mir, Navahradak, Hrushauka, Smolhaŭ, Lahoysk, Bialynichy, Homiel, Asvieja, Kamyaniets, Skoki, Vysokaje.

Павялічыць

These lithographs were created in Warsaw by Alois Misurovicz in Maksymilian Fajans' workshop in the 1870s based on Napoleon Orda's drawings and with his original signatures. The lithographs were printed in the album of historical views of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth («Album Widokόw Historycznych Polski poświęcony Rodakom zrysowany z natury przez Napoleona Ordę»). The publication of the album was financed by Napoleon Orda himself.

Павялічыць

In total, from 1873 to 1883, 8 series of this album were published, containing 260 lithographs with a total circulation of over 1000 copies. About half of the original drawings from which these 260 lithographs were made are considered lost.

Павялічыць

“Orda’s lithographs preserve vivid evidence of our brilliant yet often tragic history. Thanks to them, we have an idea of what palaces and manors looked like in the second half of the 19th century, most of which were destined to disappear in the following century,” says Pavel Matsukevich, head of the MALDZIS initiative.

Napoleon Orda’s lithographs were purchased at a Polish auction with funds from Belarusian donors: Pavel Tsarov, Hanna Krauchanka, Yahor Yatsuk, Darya Slizh, Andrey Hrabouski, Yury K., and a patron who wished to remain anonymous.

In the future, the collection will be donated as a public gift to the Napoleon Orda Museum, located in the artist's restored ancestral manor in Varacevichy.

Павялічыць

Before returning to Belarus, the lithographs will be exhibited during special events abroad.

The Belarusian part of the collection (19 lithographs) will be exhibited at the MALDZIS exhibition “Belarus of Napoleon Orda,” which will take place in Warsaw at the Museum of Free Belarus from February 28th to March 8th, 2026.

“Napoleon Orda created a visual memory of our country for us. His works provide not only evidence of the grandeur of our own history and a very rich architectural heritage but also opportunities for its restoration. At least in public consciousness,” says Ryhor Astapenia, a trustee of the MALDZIS initiative.

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