DOI article:
Czyżewski, Krzysztof J.: Spór o ołtarz główny w katedrze na Wawelu w latach 1871 - 1883
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19897#0196
of the historie retable by publishing an open letter to
the conservator in the journal "Czas". Matejko found
an ally in Łepkowski, who, in turn, received official
backing from the municipal authorities of Cracow. In
September 1878 a specially appointed municipal building
commission adjudged that the old altar was in good
technical condition though reąuiring restoration. Łep-
kowski obtained the funds for this purpose from the
Seym of Galicia.
Despite such a turn of affairs the Chapter did not
relinąuish the idea of constructing a new retable, re-
mitting the matter to the Ministry of Religions and
Sducation in Vienna for a finał decision. The Chapter's
petition was considered by the Central Board for Pre-
servation of Monuments of Antiąuity, which positively
declared for the preservation of the object, expressing
its strong disapproval of the design of a new altar. In
the face of the decision of the central authorities and
an opinioin given by a subseąuent technical commission
in May 1879, the Chapter withdrew for a while from
realization of its plans. The ąuestion of the altar
cropped up again in 1882, when a commission appointed
by the City authorities for inspection of the bells and
"other suspended objects", during the inspection of the
cathedral confirmed the dilapidated condition of the
altar and found its dismantling indispensable.
The altar was taken down, its elements being pro-
visionally deposited in the episcopal palące. Nonetheless,
in view of the objections raised by the conservator of
historie monuments and by such authorities as Jan
Matejko, it was impossible to replace it with a new
retable. The matter remained in abeyance. The Chapter,
pleading lack of funds, refused to undertake the recon-
struction and thorough restoration of the altar; instead,
in 1883 it decided to set up a provisional altar composed
of the earlier mensa and painting to which two wings
of a 15th century polyptych, kept separately in the
cathedral, were attached. In this state the altar sur-
vived until 1895, when Sławomir Odrzywolski set about
a comprehensive restoration of the cathedral. Even-
tually, in 1900 Kazimierz Wakulski reconstructed the
altar in the form prior to its dismantling, using part
of the original sculptured decoration.
The dispute over the cathedral altar in the years
1871—1883 is one of the morę interesting examples of
a public discussion concerning the protection of historie
monuments in Cracow, a city in which the modern
concepts of conservation took form. Especially worth
noting is the fervour of the discussion, manifested above
all in the opinions of Jan Matejko, who not only
brought forward arguments of historical or artistic na-
turę but also appealed to patriotic feelings, judging the
decisions concerning historie monuments in morał terms.
In addition, one should emphasize the role of the press,
which gave the controversy an open character thereby
engaging the opinion of the citizens of Cracow.
the conservator in the journal "Czas". Matejko found
an ally in Łepkowski, who, in turn, received official
backing from the municipal authorities of Cracow. In
September 1878 a specially appointed municipal building
commission adjudged that the old altar was in good
technical condition though reąuiring restoration. Łep-
kowski obtained the funds for this purpose from the
Seym of Galicia.
Despite such a turn of affairs the Chapter did not
relinąuish the idea of constructing a new retable, re-
mitting the matter to the Ministry of Religions and
Sducation in Vienna for a finał decision. The Chapter's
petition was considered by the Central Board for Pre-
servation of Monuments of Antiąuity, which positively
declared for the preservation of the object, expressing
its strong disapproval of the design of a new altar. In
the face of the decision of the central authorities and
an opinioin given by a subseąuent technical commission
in May 1879, the Chapter withdrew for a while from
realization of its plans. The ąuestion of the altar
cropped up again in 1882, when a commission appointed
by the City authorities for inspection of the bells and
"other suspended objects", during the inspection of the
cathedral confirmed the dilapidated condition of the
altar and found its dismantling indispensable.
The altar was taken down, its elements being pro-
visionally deposited in the episcopal palące. Nonetheless,
in view of the objections raised by the conservator of
historie monuments and by such authorities as Jan
Matejko, it was impossible to replace it with a new
retable. The matter remained in abeyance. The Chapter,
pleading lack of funds, refused to undertake the recon-
struction and thorough restoration of the altar; instead,
in 1883 it decided to set up a provisional altar composed
of the earlier mensa and painting to which two wings
of a 15th century polyptych, kept separately in the
cathedral, were attached. In this state the altar sur-
vived until 1895, when Sławomir Odrzywolski set about
a comprehensive restoration of the cathedral. Even-
tually, in 1900 Kazimierz Wakulski reconstructed the
altar in the form prior to its dismantling, using part
of the original sculptured decoration.
The dispute over the cathedral altar in the years
1871—1883 is one of the morę interesting examples of
a public discussion concerning the protection of historie
monuments in Cracow, a city in which the modern
concepts of conservation took form. Especially worth
noting is the fervour of the discussion, manifested above
all in the opinions of Jan Matejko, who not only
brought forward arguments of historical or artistic na-
turę but also appealed to patriotic feelings, judging the
decisions concerning historie monuments in morał terms.
In addition, one should emphasize the role of the press,
which gave the controversy an open character thereby
engaging the opinion of the citizens of Cracow.