DOI Artikel:
Chrzanowska, Katarzyna: Boazerie w prezbiterium kościoła pod wezwaniem św. Jana Chrzciciela w Skalbmierzu
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51255#0064
the panels just described. It features a decorative motif with one axis of symmetry,
depicting a decorative vessel standing on a high tri-legged base, from which a very
simplified flower bud on a long stem protruded, with two simplified leaves.
The feature that links the decorations of the organ gallery, the last panel in
the north side panelling, as well as the no longer existing decoration of choir
stalls and panelling on the Southern side, is the application of dark, almost black
patterns against a light brown background. Also noteworthy is the simple, sche-
matic composition, devoid of chiaroscuro modelling, which is repeated in exactly
the same form in several panels, which points to the use of a template. The same
type of decoration, currently visible on the balustradę of the organ gallery and
in the choir stalls can be associated with the recommendation mentioned in
the section on the history of the panelling, issued in 1949, regarding the adjust-
ing the colour of the organ gallery to match the colours of the rood beam29,
and the entry from 1954, confirming the execution of the recommended works,
which also included chapter stalls30, among others. Based on the cited entries,
we are able to formulate the hypothesis that the renovation of the choir stalls and
the organ gallery also included the panelling. This is confirmed both by the fact
that the structures of the three analysed elements of the furnishings were painted
in the same colour, as well as the use of the same panel decorating scheme. Thus,
the current appearance of the wooden panelling structure on the north side of the
chancel is the result of the unification of the appearance of the churchs interior
furnishings, which consisted in adjusting it to match the magnificent rood beam.
Based on the analysis, as well as on the archival records, it can be assumed that
the panelling on the north side of the chancel also gained its current colours and
its painted decoration of the panels before 1954.
1.5. Analysis of the paintings’ iconography
In view of the fact that the completed conservation process revealed a significant
degree of repainting of the scenes of Death of Ananias and the Baptism of Cor-
nelius, it is reasonable to infer that also the current appearance of the painting
depicting Saint Peter and Saint John the Evangelist is the result of repainting that
may have been done after the fire. In addition, the findings regarding the “sig-
nificant degree of destruction of the surface of the paint layer” of Ananias’ death
scene31 are prompting us to analyse only the iconography of images, which
in itself is an interesting issue, in the context of the paintings in the panelling
of Skalbmierz.
Three earlier representations constitute a series of scenes from the life of Saint
Peter, referring to the events described in the Acts of the Apostles that had taken
place before his arrival in Romę. Located on the north side, the scene identified
as Saint Peter and Saint John the Evangelist32 (see: Figurę 5) can be linked with
a passage from the Book of Acts (Acts 3,1-8), describing the healing of a lamę
man begging for alms at the tempie gate.
29 ADK, PS 7/5, f. ir.
30 Ibidem, f. 2/r.
31 Documentation of monument conservation: Dokumentacja konserwatorska Drewniane boazerie
Z XVII w.
32 J. Wiśniewski, Historyczny opis kościołów, p. 387.
Panelling in the chancel of the church of Saint John the Baptist in Skalbmierz
63
depicting a decorative vessel standing on a high tri-legged base, from which a very
simplified flower bud on a long stem protruded, with two simplified leaves.
The feature that links the decorations of the organ gallery, the last panel in
the north side panelling, as well as the no longer existing decoration of choir
stalls and panelling on the Southern side, is the application of dark, almost black
patterns against a light brown background. Also noteworthy is the simple, sche-
matic composition, devoid of chiaroscuro modelling, which is repeated in exactly
the same form in several panels, which points to the use of a template. The same
type of decoration, currently visible on the balustradę of the organ gallery and
in the choir stalls can be associated with the recommendation mentioned in
the section on the history of the panelling, issued in 1949, regarding the adjust-
ing the colour of the organ gallery to match the colours of the rood beam29,
and the entry from 1954, confirming the execution of the recommended works,
which also included chapter stalls30, among others. Based on the cited entries,
we are able to formulate the hypothesis that the renovation of the choir stalls and
the organ gallery also included the panelling. This is confirmed both by the fact
that the structures of the three analysed elements of the furnishings were painted
in the same colour, as well as the use of the same panel decorating scheme. Thus,
the current appearance of the wooden panelling structure on the north side of the
chancel is the result of the unification of the appearance of the churchs interior
furnishings, which consisted in adjusting it to match the magnificent rood beam.
Based on the analysis, as well as on the archival records, it can be assumed that
the panelling on the north side of the chancel also gained its current colours and
its painted decoration of the panels before 1954.
1.5. Analysis of the paintings’ iconography
In view of the fact that the completed conservation process revealed a significant
degree of repainting of the scenes of Death of Ananias and the Baptism of Cor-
nelius, it is reasonable to infer that also the current appearance of the painting
depicting Saint Peter and Saint John the Evangelist is the result of repainting that
may have been done after the fire. In addition, the findings regarding the “sig-
nificant degree of destruction of the surface of the paint layer” of Ananias’ death
scene31 are prompting us to analyse only the iconography of images, which
in itself is an interesting issue, in the context of the paintings in the panelling
of Skalbmierz.
Three earlier representations constitute a series of scenes from the life of Saint
Peter, referring to the events described in the Acts of the Apostles that had taken
place before his arrival in Romę. Located on the north side, the scene identified
as Saint Peter and Saint John the Evangelist32 (see: Figurę 5) can be linked with
a passage from the Book of Acts (Acts 3,1-8), describing the healing of a lamę
man begging for alms at the tempie gate.
29 ADK, PS 7/5, f. ir.
30 Ibidem, f. 2/r.
31 Documentation of monument conservation: Dokumentacja konserwatorska Drewniane boazerie
Z XVII w.
32 J. Wiśniewski, Historyczny opis kościołów, p. 387.
Panelling in the chancel of the church of Saint John the Baptist in Skalbmierz
63