Polichromia dwóch Trójc w kościele p.w. św. Józefa we Wschowie
Polychromy of two Holy Trinities in the church of St. Joseph in Wschowa

Summary/Abstract: Polychromy of two Holy Trinities in the church of St. Joseph in Wschowa The Observant Franciscan church in Wschowa, a picturesque historical town in southern Great Poland, contains a valuable Late Baroque polychromy of the interior. It was executed in 1745–1747 by three co-operating artists: Joachim Eggenfeldner, a Silesian guild master from nearby Głogów, and two monks of the aforementioned order, arrivals from Poznań - Walenty Żebrowski and Liboriusz Stanisławski. Recently (1996–1997), the polychromy, which totals some 1200 square meters, was subjected to extremely careful conservation (conducted by a team headed by Maria Kiepuszewska). The paintings were cleaned, fragments were reconstructed, and large parts covered in 1882 by a layer of repainting were disclosed. The retouching was performed by means of spots. All conservation was carried out thoroughly, working for more than ten hours daily for a period of 17 months. The polychromy is well documented in sources. The monastic chronicles of the Great Poland province contains a copy of a contract for its execution, signed with Eggenfeldner, and an iconographic description of the whole work, while the chronicle of the monastery records the realisation. An occasional print from 1747 describes the ceremony of the installation in the church of the painting of St. Peter Regalatus, indicating that the completion of the polychromy was synchronised with this event, which entailed also triumphal gates and other decorations. Pertinent references are to be found in paintings on some of the church walls, depicting floral festoons and illusionistic fabrics. Nonetheless, the main theme, presented on the nave ceiling of this single-nave church, is the mystical Marriage of St. Joseph and Mary. The bridegroom and the bride are accompanied by angelic musicians, brandishing an interesting group of Old Polish instruments, as well as by angelic choirs singing Sanctus, sanctus..., together with saints selected according to a key...

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