Nicolaus Copernicus

Nicolaus Copernicus – the title character in the painting by Edward Dwurnik – is shown in a way that diverges significantly from the traditional iconography of this scientist and astronomer. Although the facial features were cast in a slightly caricatured manner, the viewer does not have a problem with recognizing the identity of the person depicted. Located in the foreground, centered on the axis of the pictorial field, Copernicus makes a victory gesture with his right hand, while the left one is clenched into a fist. Also, his “companionship” is unusual – because he is assisted by a herd of swine. Both the figure of Copernicus and animal silhouettes were cast in a monochrome, black and white range of colours with elements of grey. Only the background of the picture provides a flat spot of intense, dark sky-blue. [N. Cieślak]