Pranciškaus Smuglevičiaus paveikslas „Šv. arkangelas Mykolas“ ir kitos Palomenės bažnyčios dailės vertybės
The painting of St. Michael the Archangel by Franciszek Smuglewicz and other artworks in the Palomenė church

Summary/Abstract: In the article, valuable paintings held in the Palomenė church are analysed for the first time. Four of these paintings have been proclaimed art monuments of national importance, and two of them have the status of art monuments of local importance. A mention found in archival documents, historical data, and stylistic analysis confirmed that the author of the painting “St. Michael the Archangel” on the high altar of the church is the most prominent representative of Lithuanian Classicism, Franciszek Smuglewicz. The treatment of the topic in this work reflects the ideological content of the Period of Enlightenment, and its iconography represents a theological content (a motif of Adam and Eve) and an original interpretation (the archangel is represented without armour and unarmed), while its stylistics brings it close to Classicism, which manifests itself in a softened interpretation of antique-style beauty and a harmony of colour combinations typical of this artist. This painting representing the stylistics of Classicism can be compared with the most famous examples of images of St. Michael the Archangel in European art. The painting appeared in the Palomenė church through the efforts of its endowers, the local landlords Zaleski. In 1809, they built a chapel and, later, a church on their land and obtained from the Holy See a privilege for the high altar of St. Michael and provided the church equipment and inventory. They not only donated the altar paintings to the church, but also set up a little “picture gallery” of the17th to early 19th century paintings and hung valuable religious works by European and local painters on the church walls. These were iconographically rare artful paintings on the topics of the Old Testament titled “St. Joseph in Prison”, “Moses Lifts Up a Brass Serpent” and a replica of a famous work “Judgement of Solomon” by Peter Paul Rubens, as well as images of the saints. Today, the paintings of the Palomenė church, with the exception of the altar paintings, are held in the museum of the Kaišiadorys Diocese Curia.

• Details
• Contents