Content and Symbolics of Polychromy in Cistercian Church in Jędrzejów (outline of issues)

Abstract

A close theological and artistic co-operation has been observed in religious art since the Middle Ages. In the Baroque this co-operation was best revealed in monumental decorations inside churches. An example of it is the polychromy in the abbot church in Jędrzejów, whose author was Andrzej Radwański. Intention plan includes both theological content and issues connected with spirituality and activity of the Cistercian order. The history of the Jędrzejów Abbey was particularly emphasized and so was the person of the Blessed Wincenty Kadłubek, who was connected with it. A correlation between historical and symbolical depictions is very interesting; a method often used by Radwański in his monumental decorative painting.

Keywords

• symbolics
• polychromy
• cisterian church
• Jędrzejów