Gothic Art of Slovakia

This installation presents the most significant sculptures and panel paintings of the Gothic Art Collection of the SNG, i.e., works from the 14th century up to the beginning of the 16th century. Although the geographical centre of the exposition lies in Spiš and its neighbouring regions, several prominent works from western Slovakia, Bratislava in particular, are also presented. The monumental Relief of the Nativity of Christ (“from Hlohovec”) originally a part of the Gothic altar of St. Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava (around 1480) is one of the most significant. It represents the top production of the Danube-Rhine style of sculpting related with the work of Niclaus Gerhaerdt van Leyden, who at that time was active in the court of Emperor Friedrich II in Vienna. The magnificent sculpture of The Virgin Mary of Veľký Biel, on long-term loan to the exposition of the SNG from the local parish, originated from the same workshop.

The older period is represented by a smaller collection of solitary sculptures from the 1st half of the 14th century. The most prominent among them is Madona z Ruskinoviec/Madonna of Ruskinovce (around 1300) which in addition to its high quality, is also important as an example of “multifunctional” sculpture – with a movable head of the Baby Jesus that accents a different form of the relationship of the Virgin Mary and her son. The late medieval painting of the Spiš region is represented by several high quality panel paintings. Although all of them originally belonged to altar retables (retabulum), only a fragment was also preserved in this context. That is the case of Triptych zo Strážok/Triptych of Strážky, the work of the so called “modest style” – a painted altar superstructure from the middle of the 15th century. The monumental Tabule zo Spišského Podhradia/Panels from Spišské Podhradie (after 1497; property of the Spiš Diocese) originally belonged to the late Gothic St. Mary’s altar and three other paintings can still be found at the local church. The end of the exposition is dedicated to the beginning of the 16th century. Several sculptures represent the abundant production on the boundary of Gothic and Renaissance periods, again especially in the Spiš region. Sv. Ondrej zo Strážok/St. Andrew of Strážky – originally a part of the local St. Mary’s altar from 1524, is probably directly from the workshop of Master Pavol of Levoča .

In addition to the installation, which is very impressive for spectators, the concept of this exhibition follows two basic aims: first, to present medieval artefacts not only as aesthetic objects but also as objects of certain historical situations or technologically difficult artefacts (for this reason, many sculptures are accessible to visitors from all sides). Within the framework of the information system, more detailed commentaries regarding selected monuments are offered to the visitors; the combination of works indicating the geographical context and their content, style, liturgical milieu or issues of restoration are also mentioned in the texts.

Unknown sculptor: Madona z Ruskinoviec / Madonna of Ruskinovce. Spiš Region, around 1300. Sculpture, linden wood, polychrome residue. Height: 137 cm. P 1700

Unknown sculptor of Bratislava or Vienna: Sv. Helena z Trnavy / St. Helena of Trnava.
1400 – 1420. Sculpture, limestone, polychrome residue. Height: 95 cm. Long-term loan – Property of the Church of St. Helena in Trnava

Unknown sculptor of Bratislava or Vienna: Narodenie Ježiša zv. „z Hlohovca“ / Nativity of Jesus “from Hlohovec” (originally from St. Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava). Around 1480. Wooden relief, polychrome, gold coating. Height: 201.5, width: 122 cm. P 53

Unknown Spiš Artist (Master of the Altar of the Christ of Sorrows in Levoča): Madona z Popradu / Madonna of Poprad. 1484. Tempera on wood, 77.3 x 61.5 cm. O 1593

Master Martin signed on the upper frame ledge in the back Martin[us] 1497 pictor in vigilia nativitat[is]: Tróniaca Madona medzi Sv. Katarínou a Sv. Alžbetou / Madonna on the Throne between St. Catharine and St. Elizabeth. 1497. Panel painting, tempera on wood, 158 x 130 cm (including historical frame). O 1594

Master Pavol of Levoča – circle: Sv. Ondrej zo Strážok / St. Andrew of Strážky. Around 1524. Linden wood, polychrome, gold coating, Height: 106.5 cm. P 138