Aula Leopoldinum – time for auditorium
Certainly, 2018 is going to be yet another year of intensive restoration work in Aula Leopoldinum. The renovation of matroneum will be continued. Moreover, restorers will begin work in the central part of the hall – in the auditorium. During ongoing conservation work, tourists will be able to visit Aula Leopoldinum on similar terms as in 2017, however, no celebrations will be held there.
Autor:
Kamilla Jasińska
Data Publikacji:
7 maja 2018
Work planned for 2018 will be financed from various sources. The subsidy of PLN 800 thousand granted by the Municipality of Wrocław enabled restorers to begin work within the auditorium. The tender for carrying out the restoration was won by ANTIQUA Konserwacja dzieł sztuki Wit Podczerwiński z Myślenic (Conservation of Works of Art by Wit Podczerwiński from Myślenice). This phase of work will cover the renovation of eight lodges (four of them located by the north wall and the other four – by the south wall). The oil paintings above the lodges will also be renovated. These paintings on canvas put in ornate oval frames, which measure 113cm x 110 cm, depict rulers and dignitaries of the Jesuit order, their arrival in Wrocław and the foundation and development of the university. This collection consists of two originals (the first two of the south side of the matroneum) and six replicas made after the audacious theft in June, 1997. The municipal funds will also cover the costs of the restoration of the polychromous gilded frames made of linden as well as polychromies on the walls behind the paintings and in the space between the consoles. The gilded marbled sections of the cornices on the consoles above the lodges will be the only parts of the moulding restored in this phase of work.
The restoration of the eight lodges together with wooden platforms (exclusive of the platforms in the window niches) will definitely be a challenge. The lodges are benches with high backs framed on the sides by volutes and topped with ornamental cartouches, which constitute the frames of the oil paintings. The fronts and the backs of the benches are covered in panels. These lodges, which come from 1732, and all the other wooden elements of the furnishing, at the beginning of the 20th century underwent a major restoration. Some parts, however, had to be removed and replaced. According to the authors of the “Study of the Decor and Furnishing of the Aula Leopoldinum” (2008) it has to be assumed that all the seats in the Aula faithfully follow the layout and the form of the original benches but most of them was made during the renovation carried out at the beginning of the 20th century. How many parts of the lodges were replaced? Only the restoration will provide the answer.
The lodges and paintings on the northern side (from Oder) were dismantled on 12 April and the ones from the southern side – less than two weeks later. All parts are gradually transported to the conservation workshops in Myślenice and Jawornik (Mazowieckie voivoidship). Soon, carpentry work on the platforms will begin in the Aula, but before that, the walls that are usually not visible –because they are hidden behind the lodges – will return to their original appearance.
The lodges are not the only part of the furnishing that requires renovating. One-fourth of the students’ benches located in the central part of the Aula will probably be handed over to the experts in May. The restoration will be financed by the regional government, which, by the resolution of the Lower Silesian Regional Assembly of March, 12, awarded a grant of PLN 60 thousand to the University of Wrocław.
The restoration of the matroneum will be continued this year. As soon as the tender for carrying out further renovation work within the matroneum’s soffit is settled, restorers that specialise in Baroque painting and mouldings will be able to begin work in the Aula. Thanks to the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage’s subsidy of PLN 380 thousand granted to the Foundation for the University of Wrocław, the polychrome above the gallery, which includes five paintings depicting an orchestra of angels, will also be renovated. The restorers will work as well on one large gilded stucco cartouche and two smaller ones, mouldings on the ceiling and gildings on the cornices. The matroneum’s soffit will regain its original appearance by mid-October at the latest. The work financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage should be completed by then.
All activities that are planned for 2018 will be carried out simultaneously. Moreover, the University of Wrocław is also going to cover the costs of conservation and modernisation of the windows. Because of that, the restorers working on the lodges, students’ benches and the matroneum will have to cooperate closely not only with each other but also with the carpenters working on the replacement of the window joinery. Despite the fact that all works will be fully advanced during the summer holidays, tourists will still be able to visit the Aula. The tourists’ presence might probably impede the restorers’ work a little bit but as dr Łukasz Krzywka – the Rector’s Representative for Cultural Property Preservation – said – the renovation of the Aula Leopoldinum is such a remarkable project that inhabitants of Wrocław and tourists should be able to watch it with their own eyes.
Kamilla Jasińska
Translated by Justyna Janik (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
