Medieval Tradition Presented In Early Modern Paintings And Inscriptions In Little Poland

Abstract

This chapter primarily discusses outstanding epigraphic and iconographic ties to the distant past in monastery and parish churches in the central and northern regions of Little Poland. It shows how such presentations may have responded to the needs of early modern audiences. The material available in the chapter allows to identify the inspiration for historical interests as well as the significance of their artistic and epigraphic representations in Little Poland from the sixteenth through to the eighteenth century. The Benedictine monastery at Łysiec was established at the beginning of the twelfth century. The Cistercian monastery in the town of Jedrzejow was founded in the middle of the twelfth century, after 1140. Only exceptionally can connections with local medieval history be found presented in paintings and inscriptions in diocesan churches. For this reason, the scenes shown on the paneling inside the collegiate church, now the cathedral, in Sandomierz are quite unique. Keywords: Łysiec; early modern inscriptions; early modern paintings; Jedrzejow; little Poland; medieval tradition; monastic churches; Sandomierz