Jan Amos Comenius – a Scholar in the Labyrinths of 17th Century Europe COMENIO - un pensatore nei labirinti dell’Europa del XVII secolo
Jan Amos Comenius Museum in Uherský Brod has been caring continuously for Comenius’ legacy and trying to present it in various forms also abroad. Besides the countries where Comenius lived and worked – Poland, England, Sweden, Hungary and most of all the Netherlands – the museum tries to address general public also in countries which Comenius is not directly linked with. In Italy Comenius is well-known to experts and a number of books on him have been published there. Jan Amos himself worked with numerous treatises written by his Catholic contemporaries from Italy and Spain. He was involved in a responsive polemics with Czech-Italian Capuchin Valerian Magni over the principles of the Christian faith. But he took a non-compromising stand towards the political concept of Niccolo Machiavelli, which went counter to Comenius’ humanistic thinking.
Comenius ranks among the greatest European thinkers of early modern age. With the wide scope of knowledge he was in fact one of the last polyhistors. He came up with an honorable title the Teacher of nations for being one of the founders of a modern and effective concept of teaching. In Comenius’ view pedagogy was a tool for fulfilling more complex aims and as a remedy for the whole society, religion, politics and knowledge. He strived for genuine humanity and a lifelong development of every human being.
The aspiration of the designer team was to present Comenius as a European, and they did so through presenting contemporary prints of his works from pedagogy, philosophy, religion and natural sciences. Labyrinth is highlighted as the key motive. In his literary work “The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart” the author, disguised for a Wanderer, wanders around the world full of of diversities, but also of people’s false desires. Inspired by Comenius’ Labyrinth are also displayed graphic sheets by Milivoj Husák. Besides contemporary prints, graphic sheets and Comenius’ maps, the exhibition was complemented with multimedia elements provided by the Vision Factory company.
For Comenius a labyrinth was a theme that accompanied him through his whole life, appeared in all his works and formed one of the elements of his philosophical testament – a tiny book entitled Unum necessarium (The One Thing Needful). Jan Amos was a child of his time, typical for which were great discoveries and harsh errors, but also humanistic and pedagogical approaches respecting the nature of man.
