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Changing Appearances of Monuments

From the Perspective of History and Restoration Issues

Summary/Abstract: The article discusses several examples of changes in appearance of historical works from various fields of art, including changes made to the late Gothic paintings from approx. 1510 found in parish churches in Stara Wieś – the painting representing the so-called Sacra Conversazione and the image of the Madonna and Child in Krzyżowice. Furthermore, the author of the paper attempts to present the reasons for conducting such radical changes in the appearance of the works due to the will of the former policy makers. Appearance of these works was recorded in the reception of the faithful for many years, perhaps even for several generations. Most faithfuls are convinced that this work looked this ways for years. Therefore, its sudden change, even though the newly exposed image is the first, original one, is not always favorably received. The article also shows two examples of the so-called small architecture, which in addition to transformation in the appearance of the object underwent changes of ideological character, often concerning the use of opposing symbols. The discussed object are monuments. The first one, located on the square market in Pszczyna, was originally a monument dedicated to German soldiers who died during the Franco-Prussian War. However, over the years along with the changing political situation the monument started to commemorate the visit of German emperors, then Marshal Józef Pilsudski, and during the Second World War – Adolf Hitler. After 1945 it was demolished and after many consecutive years of placing the star at the top (the star in recent years has been replaced by Polish military cross, whose presence even today evokes further controversies), has become the main monument in the cemetery of soldiers of the Red Army. The second example discussed in the article concerns the changes made to the monument now known as Pomnik Czynu Powstańczego (Monument of Insurrection) set on the St. Anne Mountain. Erected to commemorate the “defenders of German values” in Upper Silesia, today the monument is dedicated to the glory of the Silesian insurgents, the opponents of those to whom it was originally dedicated.

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