While marking the 444th birthday of Vilnius University, on 1 April, a virtual exhibition “Academic Vilnius: Culture of Theses in the Old University” is launched on the platform “Google Arts & Culture“.
In 2023, the research project of the old Vilnius University theses and dissertations was completed at Vilnius University Library. The focus of the research was graduation papers from the Jesuit period covering nearly two centuries for the defence of which the University would award scientific degrees or which were intended for public disputes. The Library has more than sixty such papers.
Manuscript of Bartilius's lectures delivered in 1606. The Tree of Porphyry – Arbor Porphyriana – a schematic expression of commentary on Aristotle’s CATEGORIES that was widely used while teaching scholastic logic.
The exhibition’s story covers the period of the first half of the seventeenth century, when old and new scientific paradigms were competing with each other. Alongside with medieval scholasticism, scientific paradigms that were based on experimental analysis and historical sources had been included into study programs.
Thesis (1633) of the nobleman Jan Rudomina-Dusiatski dedicated to Władysław Vasa.
Organisers of the exhibition attempt to bring to light the specificity of the old academic culture in its entirety, and to introduce famous personalities. The exhibition shows theses written by students of Laurentius Bartilius, a representative of classical scholastics. Scientific progress is reflected in theses written by students of professor Oswald Krüger and Aaron Olizarowski in the fields of physics and law. A student providing his work to the heavenly patron is depicted on one of the covers of the old theses. Unique manuscripts, printed books, photographs, engravings and panoramas of the current city are included in the story. Through this spectacular story you will both familiarise yourself with study processes of the seventeenth century and stroll along the streets of Vilnius which is celebrating its 700th birthday jubilee.
Vilnius in the second half of the nineteenth century. Captured by Józef Czechowicz.
To find the 2-part story on Google Art & Culture platform, please select this link.
2023-04-01