Governing Week at the University of Gdańsk comes to an end. On the Thursday evening of the 29th of June, the guests from the member universities of SEA-EU visited the National Museum in Gdańsk, where they had an opportunity to admire ‘The Last Judgement’ by Hans Memling. Director of the museum Dr. hab. Jacek Friedrich, prof. UG,  presented the painting and its artistic values with the musical accompaniment provided by the Golden Gate String Quartet.

The guests were welcomed by Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of the University of Gdańsk. Consul General of Germany Iris Wolff, Consul General of Ukraine Oleksandr Plodystyi, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Spain in Gdańsk Maciej Dobrzyniecki, Honorary Consul of Norway in Gdynia Weronika Haustein, Consul of France Alain Mompert, Deputy Mayor of Gdynia Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychała, and Vice-Rector for the Quality of Teaching of the Medical University of Gdańsk Prof. Agnieszka Zimmermann were among the participants of the event. The Rector of the University of Gdańsk introduced the director of the National Museum in Gdańsk Dr. hab. Jacek Friedrich, prof. UG. He also thanked the Golden Gate String Quartet, which performed classical music pieces. 

Dr. hab. Jacek Friedrich, prof. UG presented the history of the triptych. Hans Memling’s ‘Last Judgement’ is considered one of the most eminent and best-preserved examples of Netherlandish painting in the world. It survived through centuries in excellent condition, and it is the first so prestigious artwork by Hans Memling.

An important role in the history of the triptych was played by the caravel called Peter von Danzig. Prof. Beata Możejko, the Director of the Memling Research Centre of the University of Gdańsk, explained the ship transporting the painting to Italy was plundered by Paul Beneke, Gdańsk privateer in command of the Peter von Danzig caravel. The painting was then towed to Hambourg’s port of Stade to finally have been given to the St. Mary’s Church in Gdańsk. After the war, the masterpiece was placed in the Pomeranian Museum in Gdańsk, currently the National Museum in Gdańsk, where it is still exhibited today. 

Dr. hab. Jacek Friedrich, prof. UG concluded the meeting by presenting the attendees with the meaning and artistic values of the painting. Guest could also admire Hans Memling’s artwork up close.