A major exhibition opens today under the banner of the National Museum in Cracow. 'Around Wit Stwosz' is being hosted at the Wyspianski museum just off the Main Market Square. The exhibition aims to shed light on one of the most exceptional artists of the late medieval era, Wit Stowsz (Veit Stoss in German).
Much to the good fortune of Cracow (although indeed there was talk of a Tutankhamun type curse twenty years ago) Cracow is blessed with two of the master's greatest works; the altar-piece of St. Mary's Basilica and the marble tomb of King Kazimierz Jagiellonczyk.
Visitors to the exhibition can buy a combined ticket that allows you to visit the altar-piece at St. Mary's, which is just a short stroll away. This towering work was stolen by the Nazis during the second world war, but it managed to survive the conflict intact, as it had been hidden in the cellars of Nuremberg castle.
The inspiration for the current exhibition came with the 'discovery' of two previously unidentified works by the sculptor. Both of these will be on display at the exhibition, as well as a variety of works that were created in the region around the time of Stoss's period of residence in Cracow (1476-1496). The city was then the capital of Poland.
Cracow Life will be investigating the exhibition over the next twenty four hours, so we'll let you know whether it's a ravishing peach or a rotten tomato. Let's hope it's the former!
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