Gothic Art

The exhibition of Gothic art at Zvolen Castle, comprising works of medieval sculpture and painting, is unique in Slovakia in terms of its number of exhibited works and its focus on the specific time period from the 14^th to the 16^th century. With more than 70 works and paintings, it is a typical study collection.

This is not about playing the hit parade of artistic quality; on the contrary, the aim is to make accessible to the professional and lay public as many as possible of the original artefacts in the Slovak National Gallery’s collections, and to a lesser extent also copies of the iconic works of Gothic art in Slovakia (Master Paul of Levoča).

The theme of this long-term exhibition is closely associated with the actual castle building. One of the largest medieval strongholds in Slovakia, Zvolen Castle is also, de facto, a dominant of the Gothic route in Central Slovakia. The entrance hall of the exhibition is therefore devoted to the local phenomenon of mural painting (by transfer from the “old parish” in Zvolen, from the second half of the 15^th century), an artistic medium which has gained ever-growing recognition in the international context also. Master Paul, on the other hand, the most important wood sculptor of the early 16^th century, needs no particular introduction. The SNG presents copies of various kinds of his most important works. They were created for the occasions of the world exhibitions in Brussels 1958 and Montreal 1967. The exhibition is therefore not merely an opportunity for an encounter with authentic Gothic art. It also rouses us to think about the diverse forms and functions of cultural heritage and the need for its preservation.