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St Peter Fourier altarpiece
Author, school, workshop
Augustinian Gregory Heinich, Jeremiah Knechtl (painting)
Style
Late Baroque
Date
1741
Material and technique
Wood
Size
7 m high x 2 m wide
Location
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Żagań, Poland
Description
Altarpiece of St Peter Fourier erected in 1741 by Canon Gregory Heinich. The painting entitled Apotheosis of St. Peter Fourier was painted by the Legnica painter Jeremias Knechtel in 1744. An angel holds an open book in front of the saint with the inscription Above all, one should love God, then one's neighbour. The Rule of St Augustine. In the lower right corner, the saint is depicted distributing alms to the poor. In the upper part of the altarpiece, a painting, by the same painter, depicts Mary with the Child. On the sides of the altar are figures of St Peter holding a cross and St John the Evangelist with an eagle. On the finial are figures symbolising the three divine virtues: Faith with a cross, Hope with an anchor and Love on a globe.