Painting of the Coronation of St. Joseph
- Style
- Baroque
- Date
- ca. 1669
- Material and technique
- oil on canvas
- Description
- In the centre of the lower part of the painting, the moment of the foundation of the Krzeszów Confraternity of St. Joseph is painted. It was founded on the 19th of March, 1669. At the front of the crowd, there is Bernard Rosa, the abbot, dressed in a habit over which he wears a surplice. Kacper Henry Hubner, who was the first rector of the St. Joseph Confraternity, is standing next to him. He is dressed in a black cloak with a white ruff. Behind them, there is a numerous procession of the members of the St. Joseph Confraternity. One can also see the monastery orchestra with trumpets and drums, and the choir holding books with notes in their hands. At the entrance, there is a figure in a white surplice holding a round canopy. Martin Leistritz left his self-portrait in the lower-left corner of the painting. He is kneeling, dressed in the Cistercian habit (he was a member of the Krzeszów monastery) with a painting palette at his feet and his brother Sigismund standing next to him. He was also a Cistercian of Krzeszów, gifted with artistic talent - he was a sculptor and woodcarver. In the background, the first seat of the confraternity is painted - the former church of St. Andrew the Apostle. It was erected in Krzeszów probably in the 14th century and served as a parish temple. When Bernard Rosa took over the function of abbot he changed the patron saint of the temple to St. Joseph. Actually, the picture shows the church of St. Joseph. The elements of its baroqueisation by abbot Rosa in 1666 are visible, i.e. rectangular window openings (in the Gothic they were probably sharp arched) and attics with volutes. That year, it is mentioned that the roof of this temple was replaced with a copper one (that is why it is red in the picture) and the ridge turret was built - invisible in the picture (it is covered by Christ's robe). The Gothic remains of the temple are the buttressed walls. The centre of the canvas shows the scene of St. Joseph's coronation by Christ. Jesus, clad in a blood-red mantle, puts a laurel wreath - "the wreath of glory" - on the temple of his earthly patron. St. Joseph's right hand is directed towards Christ, while his left hand points towards the members of the Confraternity of St. Joseph.
