Mural painting of the early 16th c. in the Vilnius St. Bernardine church Cover Image

XVI a. pradžios sienų tapyba Vilniaus Bernardinų bažnyčioje
Mural painting of the early 16th c. in the Vilnius St. Bernardine church

Author(s): Rūta Janonienė
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Architecture, Visual Arts, 16th Century
Published by: Lietuvos mokslų akademijos leidykla

Summary/Abstract: The wall paintings in the church of St. Francis and St. Bernardine in Vilnius, made in al secco technique in the beginning the 16th century are discussed. The compositions are placed on three parts in the centre of the northern wall. The author identifies the plots painted, takes note of an original representation of some scenes, idiomatic iconographical decisions made by monks theologians who composed the programme of the wall decor. Author of the article interprets the mural paintings in the light of Franciscan theory of human course as salvation history. This theory was based on ideas of Joachim de Fiore who lived in the 12th c. (distribution of history into epochs, prediction of the epoch of the Holy Spirit, which will come after the times of the Old and New Testaments, linking this epoch with the time of universal peace after the death of Antichrist). Ideas of the Apostolation and the fight for Christ's Church are expressed by showing the themes of St. George and St. Christopher in the first section of the frescos. The traditional images of these saints are complemented with Franciscan motives (St. Anthony's preaching to fishes) which express the main thought of the church decor: lots of dangers lie in wait for man in the way into Redemption and in the fight between Church and Satan. To beat these dangers helps the order of St. Francis - "new apostles". The parallel between suffering Christ and St. Francis following him is shown by painting the Crucifixion and St. Francis who shows his stigmas. The theme of Franciscans and Dominicans, missionaries of the new "spiritual epoch", showing the way to redemption is painted on the third part of the frescos. The importance of the orders established by St. Francis in renovating the church and all society is brought forward. God is shown to participate in the history of Franciscans; confirmation of the orders' activities by Church is emphasized.

  • Issue Year: 2001
  • Issue No: 2(23)
  • Page Range: 3-10
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Lithuanian