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The Altar

Author, school, workshop
Unknown
Style
late Renaissance
Date
AD 1622
Material and technique
wood, polychromy (distemper), gilding, silvering
Size
Height: 311 cm, Width: 216 cm
Location
The Presbytery, Iwiecino, Western Pomerania, The Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary’s the Queen of Poland
Description
The altar is two stage. At the predella (a base part of the altar) between the socles there is a panel with the painting depicting The Last Supper. At the main stage is a sculptory scene of The Crucifixion which has been contained within the space between the side columns. Above is the inscription: DAS BLVT IESV CHRISTI DES SOHNS/ GOTTES, MACHET VNS REIN VON ALLER/ SVNDE […]” "John 1:7 the blood of Jesus, his Son cleanses us from every sin" In the supports to the cornice two masks have been carved: one female to the left and the other - male on the right side. The top stage bears the following inscription:„ANNO 1622”. Between the pilasters hangs the picture of the Dove which symbolizes the Holy Spirit.On either side are kinds of volutes featuring the motifs of a mask and an acanthus leaf to decorate the capitals. The figure of Moses above the left the column and that of John the Baptist above the right are complementary to the overall decoration. The sculpture of Jesus Christ Pantocrator crowns the altar’s top above the level of cornice. His figure is sitting on the globe of Earth against the background of the rainbow. To his either side one can see the winged putti holding the Weapons of Christ/ Instruments of the Passion (Arma Christi) - the Cross is held by the left Cherub) and the Ladder (by the right one). The polychromy is of extremely vivid hue.