Pomorskie Madonny szafkowe i ich rola w liturgii obozowej zakonu krzyżackiego na przełomie XIV i XV wieku
Pomeranian Opening Virgins and their role in Teutonic Order’s camp liturgy in 14-15 century

Summary/Abstract: The Opening Virgin (fr. Vierge Ouvrante), a kind of the sculpture of St.Mary with the Child, appeared in the area of Teutonic State in the last quarter of 14th century. Sculptures were made by cutting the figure which formed „wings” able to be opened aside. Inside the statuette, there were another religious presentations placed. In the middle, there was a sculpture of Holy Trinity – the Father holding the Crucified One (the figure of the dove of the Holy Spirit is often missing). On the „wings” were made portrayals and presentations of grantors, members of medieval society or Teutonic knights devoting to Holy Virgin. All these result in the union of three iconographical contents; Mary with Child, the Throne of Grace and the Virgin and the Protecting Mantle. Opening Virgins, which were particular connection of theological and artistic presentations mentioned above, were popular in the area of the State of Teutonic knights. Five statuettes of this kind remain until today – Virgins from Klonowka and Lubiszewo, which are kept in Diocesan Museum in Pelplin and the sculpture from Sejny, presently kept in post-dominican St.Mary’s Basilica in Sejny. The other two statuettes remain outside borders of Poland, in Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg and in Musee de Cluny in Paris. In 1945 disappeared another sculpture, the one from Our Lady’s Church in Elblag. The oldest preserved Opening Virgins come from France. In Germany (Rhineland, Hesse) the concept was improved by adding the sculpture of the Throne of Grace inside. German artists have moved this concept to the lands of Teutonic State, and there it was enriched by the presentation of the Virgin and the Protecting Mantle. Opening Virgins were the indication of piety and marian devotion of members of Teutonic Order, who were mostly illiterate – that is why iconographical contents were more easily assimilated. Some grounds may attest to the fact, that these sculptures could had been used as shrines or field altarpieces during warfare, especially abroad.

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