Call for Papers: Medieval Art in Silesia: Old Topics, New Perspectives

3–5 December 2026

The National Museum in Wrocław and the Institute of Art History of the University of Wrocław invite researchers of medieval Silesian art to participate in a scientific conference accompanying the exhibition “Centenary. On the Anniversary of the Great Exhibition of Silesian Medieval Art.”

Conference title:
Medieval Art in Silesia: Old Topics, New Perspectives

Conference venue, dates:
Wrocław (Poland), 3–5 December 2026

Abstract submission deadline:
28 June 2026

Organisers:
The National Museum in Wrocław (Piotr Oszczanowski, director);
Institute of Art History, University of Wrocław (Romuald Kaczmarek, Agnieszka Patała, Jacek Witkowski)

Fot. A. Podstawka

We would particularly welcome submissions addressing the following areas:

  • the makers of medieval painting and sculpture in Silesia and Central Europe: questions of identity and anonymity, patterns of migration, sources of inspiration, and the organisation of workshops both within and beyond guild structures;
  • medieval art in Silesia: historical and contemporary attributions, alternative approaches, and proposals for new classification systems;
  • the medieval art in Silesia in relation to that of neighbouring and more distant European regions: formal, stylistic, and comparative studies, research in iconography and iconology, pursued both within traditional frameworks and through attempts at renewed interpretation;
  • the materials and materialities of medieval painting and sculpture in Silesia and Central Europe;
  • the “afterlives” of medieval artworks, and critical reflections upon the history of their study, display, musealisation, conservation, and protection across the centuries, both in Silesia and within the broader Central European context;
  • digital humanities approaches and initiatives for sharing knowledge of medieval art in Central Europe – achievements so far and future prospects.

Please submit a ca. 300-word abstract for a 20-minute paper, with a title, your affiliation, and a short biographical summary to agnieszka.patala@uwr.edu.pl by 28 June 2026. Selected papers will be confirmed by early July 2026.

 

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