The baroque double stairs in the Knights’ Hall by Srečko RožmanPosavje Museum Brežice
At the Knight’s Hall
The Knight’s Hall of the Brežice Castle with a unique depiction from the beginning of the 18th century is considered to be one of the most famous secular baroque monuments of wall painting in Slovenia.
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The baroque double stairs in the Knights’ Hall by Srečko RožmanPosavje Museum Brežice
At the bath-like transition of a wall into the ceiling, there are the scenes from the Greek-Roman mythology or Ovid’s Metamorphoses which are at the same time the allegories of four elements.
Four elements in the Knights' HallPosavje Museum Brežice
According to the tradition of ancient Greek philosophy, there are four basic ingredients of all the things...
... air, fire, earth, and water.
Allegory of summer by Srečko RožmanPosavje Museum Brežice
The painter Frančišek Karl Remb included his portrait indicating the elegance and the gallant posture of baroque courtier in front of the magnificent Renaissance garden.
As indicated – he was aware of his excellence – despite his youth.
Poseidon and Amphitrite by Srečko RožmanPosavje Museum Brežice
Water: Poseidon
Poseidon (R. Neptune) the Greek God of sea, storms and earthquakes is holding a down-turned trident, his attribute, in his right hand.
His kidneys are covered by seaweed, whereas his eyes are focused on a galloping horse with fins on feet.
A young sea goddess Amphitrite – the Romans called her Salacia – is snuggling up to him, full of zeal. Her kidneys and left bosom are covered by a transparent grey veil which at the top rounds up into a fluttering bow, linking up a divine couple.
Sitting on a chart made of shell, pushed by a wooden flap, they are giving their bodies to a merry gallop of horses led by winged boys.
Pyramus and Thisbe by Srečko RožmanPosavje Museum Brežice
Water: Pyramus and Thisbe
A dramatic scene from the legend of Pyramus and Thisbe tells a story of ill-fated lovers Pyramus and Thisbe, whose love was forbidden by their parents.
They decided to escape but at the place agreed Thisbe was suprised by the lioness so she hid herself but lost her cloak on the way which was torn up by the animal’s bloody snout.
Since Pyramus found only her cloak, he realized her beloved had been murdered so he stabbed himself. When Thisbe found him dead, she killed herself.
Pyramus and Thisbe (1514) by Lucas van LeydenThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
It is the story the Roman poet Ovid wrote about. One of the authors, later inspired by a tragic story of Pyramus and Thisbe, was also Shakespeare.
He first used it in his work A Midsummer Night’s Dream, later in Romeo and Juliet. Due to the literary fame of the latter, memories of these antique lovers have faded.
Zeus and Europa by Srečko RožmanPosavje Museum Brežice
Water: Zeus and Europa
Zeus, in love with Europa and changed into a bull, kidnapped his fiancee and took her over the sea to Crete, where he changed again into a handsome young boy.
As a Crete ruler he promised her protection in return for her love and devotion. A bit confused, she said yes.
The next morning when she was mourning her deed, Aphrodite came and told the truth about her kidnapping. At the same time she cheered her up by telling her that the rest of the world, where she had been living, would be called Europe.
Europa, a mortal, gave birth to three Zeus’s sons: Minos, Rhadamanthus and Sarpedon.
Hephaestus by Srečko RožmanPosavje Museum Brežice
Fire: Hephaestus
Hephaestus, one of the twelve Olympians, the son of Zeus and Hera, is the master of the element of fire and metals, the patron of craftsmen, blacksmiths, sculptors and metallurgy.
He is portrayed in his earthly smithy, right beside the blazing forge and bent over the anvil, wielding a hammer and gasping, along with his two helpers, as he forges a thunderbolt for his father, Zeus, the king of all gods of Mount Olympus.
Dionysus by Srečko RožmanPosavje Museum Brežice
Earth: Dionysus
Dionysus (R. Bacchus), the Greek god of fertility, plant life, wine and ecstasy, portrayed as a naked male figure of extensive curves with legs spread apart as a drunken god, surrounded only by ivy and laurel, the god’s recognisable attributes.
Pan with a flute in his hands lays at his feet, leaning against leopard skin, another Dionysus’ marker.
He is entertained in his drunken state by two nymphs (maenads, one holding a child)...
...and satyrs, one of whom is pouring wine into his goblet.
The dancing nymphs with Silenus and a satyr (Circa 1702) by Frančišek Karl RembPosavje Museum Brežice
Earth: Dancing nymphs and satyrs
The dancing nymphs with Silenus and a satyr are revelling around a monument with Pan’s image...
...celebrating the spring worshipping of Dionysus or Pan, the protector of shepherds and their herds.
Dryads by Srečko RožmanPosavje Museum Brežice
Earth: Dryads
Dryads (Gr. drys “a tree, an oak tree”), forest deities.
Apollo and Eos by Srečko RožmanPosavje Museum Brežice
Air: Apollo and Eos
The Greco-Roman god Apollo and Greek goddess Eos (Aurora in Roman mythology) riding in a sun chariot pulled by doves and surrounded by birds are an allegory of the element air.
Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn, the protector of fine weather and the deity that ushers in every new day, is depicted on the golden sun chariot...
...in the company of Apollo, the god of light, sun and spring, moral purity and art, especially music.
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Alenka Černelič Krošelj, Director of the Posavje Museum Brežice
Oži Lorber, curator at art history department
Andreja Matijevc, cultural programme coordinator
Experience the virtual tour through the Knight's Hall.
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