Press Release
Europa Jagellonica /Art and Culture in Central Europe under the Reign of the
Jagiellonian Dynasty/ 1386–1572.
The Gallery of the Central Bohemian Region (GASK) in Kutná Hora is the venue of the first
section of the international exhibition project Europa Jagellonica starting on May 20, 2012.
Europa Jagellonica /Art and Culture in Central Europe under the Reign of the
Jagiellonian Dynasty/ 1386–1572 is a Czech-German-Polish exhibition project. For the first
time in history, the Jagiellonians will be presented as the European dynasty, which strongly
influenced art and culture, within the wide international context of Central and East-Central
Europe.
The remarkable exhibition project will begin in Kutná Hora. The theme of the Czech section will
be “Silver Mining and Art around 1500”. The major part of the exhibition will then travel
to Warsaw to continue at two venues – the Wawel Royal Castle and the National Museum
between October 2012 and January 2013. The theme of the Warsaw exhibition is “The
Jagiellonians – European Rulers between the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Seas”.
Europa Jagellonica will culminate in Potsdam, Germany, from March 2013 until June 2013. The
German section theme will be “A Bond of Friendship and Love. Jagiellonian Marriage
Policy and the Dynasties of the Holy Roman Empire.”
Geisteswissenschaftliches
Zentrum Geschichte und Kultur
Ostmitteleuropas e. V.
an der Universität Leipzig
Reichsstr. 4–6
04109 Leipzig
Deutschland
www.uni-leipzig.de/gwzo/
GASK – Galerie
Středočeského kraje
Barborská 51–53
284 01 Kutná Hora
Česká republika
www.gask.cz
Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie
Al. Jerozolimskie 3
00-495 Warszawa
Polska
www.mnw.art.pl
Zamek Królewski w Warszawie
Plac Zamkowy 4
00-277 Warszawa
Polska
www.zamek-krolewski.pl
Haus der BrandenburgischPreußischen Geschichte
Schloßstr. 12
14467 Potsdam
Deutschland
www.hbpg.de
Overall support of the Central Bohemian Region enabled the Czech section of the exhibition to
take place in Kutná Hora, where in 1471 the Bohemia estates elected Vladislav II the first
Bohemian king from the House of Jagiellon.
The Story of the Jagiellonians
The story of the Polish dynasty is rather unique. After the large dynasties (Angevins, Luxembourgs,
and Piasts) died out literally “overnight”, the Jagiellonians became one of the most powerful
dynasties in Central and East-Central Europe. They dominated a vast territory, stretching from the
Baltic Sea to the Adriatic and Black Seas, and their genes have survived in European royal families.
When the Jagiellonians ascended to the Bohemian throne the power of Bohemia was weakened by
the papal anathema and internal disputes. The Polish dynasty brought peace and Early Renaissance
culture in the Bohemian Lands. Prague lost its prominence as the capital of Central Europe and was
replaced by Krakow. At the same time, cosmopolitan art and education returned to Prague Castle.
The Vladislav Hall at Prague Castle is the best-known architectural manifestation of the Jagiellonian
power. Vladislav II was the most famous sovereign, who ruled over both the Catholics and
Utraquists and established many legal reforms.
page 2
Dürer and Cranach in Kutná Hora
Under the supervision of the main curator Professor Jiří Fajt, the Europa Jagellonica exhibition
will showcase a wide selection of outstanding works of art from all over Europe. Artworks of
Albrecht Dürer, Lucas Cranach the Elder, and Veit Stoss will be on display as well as those of
unknown masters, makers of guns and astrolabes, and others.
The exhibition gathered works of art that are rarely seen in our lands. With luxurious objects for
everyday use on display, the exhibition conception will document life in the Middle Ages. Up to
300 exceptional works of art from the Middle Ages, lent by Czech and European institutions and
private owners, will be presented to the visitors. In addition, richly illuminated manuscripts by
the Krakow court painter Stanisław Samostrzelnik, the Prague illuminators Valentin, Matouš,
and others will be on display as well as precious charters from royal and municipal
chancelleries. Wood and stone sculptures and reliefs originating in the workshops of Veit Stoss,
Paul of Levoča, and Peter Vischer the Younger, and the jewels and luxurious objects will outline
the lives of nobles and the art of the craftsmen at that time.
The author of the exhibition Jiří Fajt builds upon his previous successful project “Charles IV –
Emperor by the Grace of God” in 2005-2006, which took place at Prague Castle and the
Metropolitan Museum in New York and attracted more than 250,000 visitors. Jiří Javůrek of the
SGL Projekt is the author of the architectural design. The visuals, logos, and the exhibition
graphics were carried out by Pavel Lev of the Najbrt Studio.
Geisteswissenschaftliches
Zentrum Geschichte und Kultur
Ostmitteleuropas e. V.
an der Universität Leipzig
Reichsstr. 4–6
04109 Leipzig
Deutschland
www.uni-leipzig.de/gwzo/
Supporting Institutions
More than one hundred and twenty institutions and private owners have generously provided
their works of art. The international institutions include: Madrid, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum;
Paris, Bibliothéque National de France; London, British Museum; Wien, Kunsthistorisches Museum,
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek; Berlin, Staatliche Museen; Oxford, Bodleian Library; Toronto,
Ontario Art Gallery; as well as collection-based institutions in Budapest, Krakow, Warsaw, and
GASK – Galerie
Středočeského kraje
Barborská 51–53
284 01 Kutná Hora
Česká republika
www.gask.cz
Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie
Al. Jerozolimskie 3
00-495 Warszawa
Polska
www.mnw.art.pl
Zamek Królewski w Warszawie
Plac Zamkowy 4
00-277 Warszawa
Polska
www.zamek-krolewski.pl
Haus der BrandenburgischPreußischen Geschichte
Schloßstr. 12
14467 Potsdam
Deutschland
www.hbpg.de
many others.
Regarding the Czech lenders, we have had excellent cooperation with the Prague Archiepiscopate
and Dominik Duka. Archbishop of Prague and Primate of Bohemia, Jan Graubner, Archbishop of
Olomouc, and many other episcopates, deaneries, and parish offices. In particular, great support
was received from Jan Uhlíř, Archdeacon of St. James’ Church in Kutná Hora.
Many exhibits have also been loaned by the National Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts in
Prague, the National Heritage Institute, the National Gallery in Prague, the Moravian Gallery in
Brno, the National Archives, the National Library, the Archives and the City of Prague Museum, the
Aleš South Bohemian Gallery in Hluboká nad Vltavou, and many others.
Admission Fees and Opening Hours of the Europa Jagellonica Exhibition at the Gallery of the
Central Bohemian Region (GASK) in Kutná Hora:
page 3
In addition to the tickets available at the venue, the visitors will be able to purchase them in
advance in the Central Bohemian Region Information Centre, which has opened recently in Husova
Street, Prague 1. The centre will present a small-size exposition providing a “peek” into the main
exhibition in Kutná Hora. The visitors will also be able to buy a combined ticket including the
admission to the exhibition as well as to all twelve historic sites located in Kutná Hora and
associated with the exhibition project. Furthermore, the organisers consider creating a pass, which
would include the admission to the Europa Jagellonica exhibition as well as to the additional
programs and events, which will take place all over the Czech Republic.
The Europa Jagellonica exhibition will be open daily May 20 through September 30, 2012:
Monday to Sunday 10am–6pm
In case of great interest the exhibition will extend its hours until 8pm.
ADMISSION FEES
FULL (Adult)
Geisteswissenschaftliches
Zentrum Geschichte und Kultur
Ostmitteleuropas e. V.
an der Universität Leipzig
Reichsstr. 4–6
04109 Leipzig
Deutschland
www.uni-leipzig.de/gwzo/
GASK – Galerie
Středočeského kraje
Barborská 51–53
284 01 Kutná Hora
REDUCED (Student, Senior)
SINGLE /ONLY THE EXHIBITION IN GASK/
CZK 190
CZK 90
COMBINED /ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS IN KH/
CZK 390
CZK 250
FAMILY /2 ADULTS + 1–3 CHILDREN/
CZK 400 /INCL. SPECIAL EVENTS IN KH/
SCHOOLS – ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY – CZK 50, accompanying teachers and staff FREE
CHILDREN UNDER 6 FREE
Česká republika
www.gask.cz
Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie
Al. Jerozolimskie 3
00-495 Warszawa
Polska
www.mnw.art.pl
For more information please visit the exhibition website: www.europa.jagellonica.com
Journalists are invited to contact:
Zamek Królewski w Warszawie
Plac Zamkowy 4
00-277 Warszawa
Polska
www.zamek-krolewski.pl
Mgr. Alexandr Koráb
Haus der BrandenburgischPreußischen Geschichte
Schloßstr. 12
Email: korab@gask.cz
14467 Potsdam
Deutschland
www.hbpg.de
Mob: +420 724 913 491