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Tucked away in the quiet village of Plataniskia in Limassol, a cultural treasure has just opened its doors, and it’s one well worth the trip. The Hambis Printmaking Museum has launched a brand-new exhibition that takes visitors on a visual journey through five centuries of printmaking, with works dating back to the early 1500s.
This isn’t your average art show. More than 150 artists from all corners of the world, from Germany and Japan to Mexico and Cyprus, are featured in this beautifully curated collection. On the walls, you’ll find original prints by some of history’s most famous names: Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Francisco Goya, Marc Chagall, and many others. It's like flipping through a living history book, but far more vivid and personal.
Alongside these masterpieces, the museum is also showcasing the tools and materials used to make them: engraving plates, woodblocks, rare books, and print albums that give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how these intricate works were made. You don’t need to be an art expert to enjoy it; just a little curiosity is enough.
Botsoglou.
Charles Auguste STEUBEN (1788 – 1856), painter, Jean-Pierre Marie JAZET (1788– 1871) , engraver, The Return of Napoleon from the Island of Elbe, tonal etching (aquatida), 1827.
Curator Hélène Reeb has put the spotlight on two of the oldest and most fascinating print techniques, woodcut and engraving, breaking them down into their many styles, from the Japanese mokuhanga method to more complex etching and aquatint processes used in Europe.
This kind of cultural event is rare in Cyprus, especially one that offers such a sweeping international and historical perspective, all while being housed in a traditional Cypriot village. It’s a peaceful setting that lets the art do the talking.
Whether you’re a lover of fine detail, history, or just looking for something different to do outside the city, this exhibition offers a unique chance to slow down, take in some world-class art, and appreciate the painstaking craft of printmaking, a medium that has quietly shaped the way we see the world for hundreds of years.
Pino PANDOLFINI (1947 – ), engraver, Piper and Palm stone, etching (soft varnish) (color), 1989.
The exhibition runs until December and is open Wednesday to Sunday, with special summer and winter opening hours. Entry is free, and the museum’s scenic location makes it an ideal day trip, especially for families or anyone looking to mix culture with a countryside drive.
So if you’re in the mood for something meaningful and photogenic, put the Hambis Printmaking Museum on your must-visit list. It’s Cyprus culture at its finest.
