Those keen on art can visit the exhibition entitled “The Fashion for Cranach” at Wrocław’s national Musem until the last days of December. On Thursday, a large-size reproduction of one of the paintings was placed in an unusual setting - in our Avenue of Professors

The exhibition, presenting the painting of the Reformation in Wrocław and the rest of Silesia, was prepared to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s announcement of his 95 theses in Wittenberg. The key to this unique presentation is the art of Lucas Cranach and his milieu, as well as their influence in Silesia.

The several dozen paintings which can be seen by visitors to the exhibition include Lucas Cranach’s works such as “The Virgin and Child under Fir Trees”, “Salome with the Head of John the Baptist”,  “Mismatched Couple”, or “Adam and Eve”. It is the latter work that we play host to at our University.

- Wrocław University of Science and Technology as the most important academic centre in our region aims also to support cultural activity and actively participate in such initiatives - says Katarzyna Kroczak-Knapik from the Department of Information and Promotion. - Such an exceptional exhibition organised in Wrocław’s public space was just bound to appear on our campus.

Until December 15, at one of the trees growing in the Avenue of Professors, near building C-13, there will be a special installation combining image with its environment. Similar ones had been placed a few weeks before in many Wrocław locations (including the Main Railway Station and the Airport).

The painting “Adam and Eve” was created around the year 1510. From 1925, it was part of the collection of Wrocław’s Schlesisches Museum der Bildenden Kunste. During the war, it was evacuated to Kamieniec Ząbkowicki, while in 1946, it was handed over to the National Museum in Warsaw, where it stays to this day.

The masterpiece depicts the first Biblical parents, Adam and Eve, standing naked in a forest. In the middle of the scene, there is a partially shown tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which is not an apple tree - however - but an oak, whose massive roots partly protrude from the ground, covered with green plants and stones. The serpent - symbol of Satan - is slithering down the forked trunk, tempting Eve to taste the forbidden fruit of the apple tree.

For more information about the exhibition and its opening hours, please visit the museum website.