Punto di interesse
Abbot’s Dining Room
An allegory of virtue above the former dining room of the head of the monastery.
Lingua dei contenuti
The Abbot’s Dining Room was used for meals by the head of the monastery. Its painted decoration was created by Michael Willmann, an artist associated with Lubiąż for many years. The vault depicts the “Triumph of the Hero of Virtue”, also known as the “Apotheosis of the Hero of Virtue”: an allegory about the choice between earthly temptations and the reward for a good life. Suspended between earth and heaven, the hero follows Minerva towards Hercules, who is about to honour him with a wreath of glory.
The main composition is surrounded by sixteen medallions containing smaller moralising scenes. They feature putti, childlike figures cast in roles drawn from mythology and history. Ancient heroes thus appear in a decoration made for the head of a Cistercian abbey. Above a room used for everyday meals unfolds an elaborate depiction of human conduct, from vanity and pleasure to perseverance in virtue. The dining room is one of the four interiors included in regular visits to the abbey.
Per bambini
The abbot was the head of the monastery. This was his dining room, but its ceiling was decorated with a painting about good conduct. It was painted by Michael Willmann, who worked in Lubiąż for many years. The hero appears between earth and heaven. Minerva leads him to Hercules, who is about to give him a wreath of glory.
Around the large painting are sixteen smaller scenes. They contain childlike figures called putti, playing the parts of characters from ancient myths and history. The decoration is about choices: pleasures, temptations and perseverance in doing good. The dining room is part of the regular guided visit, together with the Ducal Hall, the Church of the Virgin Mary and the Summer Refectory.
Domanda 1 di 2
Who created the painted decoration of the Abbot’s Dining Room?
- Posizione
- Abbots’ Palace, ground floor. Included in regular guided visits.