DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.31110#0560
century, rule by a group was rare. In generał, a State was ruled by an individual
called a king. This individual embodied the prevalent ideological views, justifying
his unusual position amongst citizens. The concept of ideology has, however, a
wider signihcance. In writing about the role of propaganda in the contemporary
world, the author has stressed the very important role played in Poland by the
almost unknown book of Jacques Ellul (1912-1994), first published in 1962. Ellul
wrote that the greatest danger to humanity is propaganda. In conveying the
concepts of propaganda used by sociologists and psychologists, the author
indicates their common elements and differences. Propaganda operates without
resorting to force. It is a process that begins when a group or individual dehnes a
goal, presents it to the public and arouses interest in it, suggests directions for
change, and finally, leads the public to take a specific position.
The necessity for a change in political propaganda is associated with
Constantine the Great's issuing of the Edict of Milan in 313, which granted
Christians citizenship rights. They had thus to adapt their ideological messages to
the political realities of the late Roman Empire. A supplement to the views voiced
by the Church appeared in the middle of the eighth century in the State of the
Franks. The traditions of the Old Testament were used in support of the <777%^
by the Church. Using Saufs anointment of David, and later Solomon, chosen by
God, as models, the monarch had from this time on to be anointed during the
coronation ceremony. The basie goal of these literary reflections and propaganda
imagery was the glorification of the deeds and exceptional traits of the personality
of the ruler.
In discussing the premises behind the book, the author mentions the most
important publications by historians and art historians. He draws attention to the
fact that the reign of Sigismund I has not yet been considered in detail. No new
monograph on the subject has appeared sińce that of Zygmunt Wojciechowski,
which was written during the Second World War and published in 1946 (reissued
in 1979). Certain works by art historians contain errors. One example is part of an
article written in 1961 by Lech Kalinowski about the Sigismund Chapel. The
thesis of the chapefs neo-platonic content, which was formulated without any
evidence that Sigismund I and his architect, Bartolomeo Berrecci, had knowledge
of neo-platonic philosophy, is still being perpetuated.
Detailed study of the Chapel was begun in 1976 by Stanisław Mossakowski
and his long-awaited monograph on the subject should appear shortly. Interesting
formulations are also contained in the works of Adam Miłobędzki and Jerzy
Kowalczyk. After 1990, a number of perfunctory publications appeared on the
subject, mainly doctoral or post-doctoral works. Art historians often present
incorrect information, as they do not know the era of which they write sufficiently
well. The author is pleased to emphasize the importance of common Polish-
German schołarly undertakings. One book that was the result of this cooperation
appeared in 2002, and several morę are being printed. To conclude, the author
would like to recall the opinion of the famous philosopher, Arthur Schopenauer
(1788-1860), that 7% ^ ^ AoĄ A A
/wyc A J7/7}' <% o//A zcAA'
555
called a king. This individual embodied the prevalent ideological views, justifying
his unusual position amongst citizens. The concept of ideology has, however, a
wider signihcance. In writing about the role of propaganda in the contemporary
world, the author has stressed the very important role played in Poland by the
almost unknown book of Jacques Ellul (1912-1994), first published in 1962. Ellul
wrote that the greatest danger to humanity is propaganda. In conveying the
concepts of propaganda used by sociologists and psychologists, the author
indicates their common elements and differences. Propaganda operates without
resorting to force. It is a process that begins when a group or individual dehnes a
goal, presents it to the public and arouses interest in it, suggests directions for
change, and finally, leads the public to take a specific position.
The necessity for a change in political propaganda is associated with
Constantine the Great's issuing of the Edict of Milan in 313, which granted
Christians citizenship rights. They had thus to adapt their ideological messages to
the political realities of the late Roman Empire. A supplement to the views voiced
by the Church appeared in the middle of the eighth century in the State of the
Franks. The traditions of the Old Testament were used in support of the <777%^
by the Church. Using Saufs anointment of David, and later Solomon, chosen by
God, as models, the monarch had from this time on to be anointed during the
coronation ceremony. The basie goal of these literary reflections and propaganda
imagery was the glorification of the deeds and exceptional traits of the personality
of the ruler.
In discussing the premises behind the book, the author mentions the most
important publications by historians and art historians. He draws attention to the
fact that the reign of Sigismund I has not yet been considered in detail. No new
monograph on the subject has appeared sińce that of Zygmunt Wojciechowski,
which was written during the Second World War and published in 1946 (reissued
in 1979). Certain works by art historians contain errors. One example is part of an
article written in 1961 by Lech Kalinowski about the Sigismund Chapel. The
thesis of the chapefs neo-platonic content, which was formulated without any
evidence that Sigismund I and his architect, Bartolomeo Berrecci, had knowledge
of neo-platonic philosophy, is still being perpetuated.
Detailed study of the Chapel was begun in 1976 by Stanisław Mossakowski
and his long-awaited monograph on the subject should appear shortly. Interesting
formulations are also contained in the works of Adam Miłobędzki and Jerzy
Kowalczyk. After 1990, a number of perfunctory publications appeared on the
subject, mainly doctoral or post-doctoral works. Art historians often present
incorrect information, as they do not know the era of which they write sufficiently
well. The author is pleased to emphasize the importance of common Polish-
German schołarly undertakings. One book that was the result of this cooperation
appeared in 2002, and several morę are being printed. To conclude, the author
would like to recall the opinion of the famous philosopher, Arthur Schopenauer
(1788-1860), that 7% ^ ^ AoĄ A A
/wyc A J7/7}' <% o//A zcAA'
555