Gotycki obraz Matki Boskiej z Różą z bydgoskiej Fary

The Gothic painting of Our Lady with a Rose from Bydgoszcz parish church

Summary: In 1922, the parish-priest of the church of St Martin and St Nicolas, Bydgoszcz, Father Tadeusz Skarbek-Malczewski, started to make enquiries about a certain painting that depicted the Pieta. It occupied (and still does) the centrepiece of the Baroque main altar, inconspicuous and attracting no greater attention than others. It was covered with a silver plated cloak, while the faces and hands of the two figures were covered with 19th century oil paintings and decals. The inquisitive priest removed the picture from its frame and took off the metal cloak, the oil paintings and the decals to reveal a late-Gothic image of rare beauty. It had been painted in distemper on a wooden board covered with linen fabric and a multi-layered chalk base. Almost the entire height of the painting is occupied by a standing figure of the Madonna surmounting a brown crescent moon with both horns pointing upwards. The dark red rose she holds in her right hand leads to its popular name of 'Our Lady with a Rose', whilst, according to the theological symbolism of the flower, she ought to be called 'Our Lady of the Pure Love'. Ever since it was discovered, the image has continued to attract the undying interest of lovers of early art, numerous Bydgoszcz town aficionados and the organisers of the Marian cult focused on the painting. Experts have agreed that the painting technique, and particularly the relief ornaments in the background and the Madonna's dress, point to the first quarter of the 16th century as the date of the image and they have classified it as a late-Gothic piece with elements of the Renaissance style.

Peregrinus Cracoviensis, 2000, z.8, s. 183-204.

Instytut Geografii i Gospodarki Przestrzennej UJ

ISSN 1425-1922

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