Orpheus Charming the Animals With His Music

The painting was commissioned by the Cistertians from Lubiąż Abbey, the most important supporters of Willmann, the artist who originated from Królewiec (now Kaliningrad) in East Prussia and who then became the leading Baroque painter in Silesia. The Cistertians’ art collection reflects their vast historical and theological knowledge, and reveals that they did not avoid works of art with mythological themes. The painter presented in this scene an important religious content disguised in the costume of mythology – both sung and recited poetry, as well as prayers, are to protect Christians from any base instincts and sinful desires symbolised by the animals.