Zprávy památkové péče 2017, 77(1-2):36-46

Baroque sculptures in the landscape: the estate of Jezeří-Nové Sedlo

Kateřina Adamcová

Ústav pro dějiny umění FF UK v Praze

The article addresses a set of sculptures which originated during the life of the last member of the Jezeří branch of the Lobkowicz family, Oldřich Felix in the early 18th century. The exterior sculpture work of the Jezeří Castle is presented here in detail, especially the monumental portal with the pair of Hercules which was created after the fire in the castle in 1713 and which is almost a contemporary parallel to two outstanding works in Prague, the portal of Clam-Gallas and Morzin Palace. The connection of architecture, the castle garden and natural surroundings, and the sculptural decoration was made up of an extremely impressive Baroque Teatrum naturally integrated into the surrounding mountain landscape.
The chapel of St. John of Nepomuk in Dřínov was extremely remarkable but is unfortunately extinct. The smaller oval layout of the building concealed artistically and conceptually exceptional sculptures - an altar consisting of a sculpture with the apotheosis of St. John of Nepomuk and three Capuchin saints with the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus. The author of these sculptures, uncharacteristically made from sandstone instead of wood, is Anton Kuen, who is clearly presented here as an artist with talent comparable to M. B. Braun or F. M. Brokoff. The Dřínov chapel, however, played an important role within the wider landscape context, was placed at the intersection of routes that connected Jezeří with Nové Sedlo and Ervěnice, while the second direction was the main connection between Jezeří and Prague. The main faćade of the chapel with its Latin votive inscription and pair of saints/ /personal patrons and alliance coat of arms was a sort of triumphal arch, welcoming all who came to Jezeří in the direction from Prague.
The trio of sculptures in the surrounding villages also played important roles in the context of their environment - statues of saints before the church in Helošice, and the statue with protector from fire in the middle of Holešovice and Ervěnice. While the statues of saints before the church are attractive in their outstanding artistic quality, since they are the work of the sculptor Kuen, Dietz's statues are interesting mainly due to their overall concept, which, through a monumentalized and significantly highlighted architectonized plinth, respond to the latest changes of this type of sculpture in Bohemia.
The sculptural works, placed there within the territory of his estate by Oldřich Felix of Lobkowicz during less than two decades, did more than fundamentally change the landscape from the spiritual perspective. The main communication axis of the estate, along with other major residences of this sector of the countryside beneath the Ore Mountains, was sanctified by the erection of these works, the purpose of which was to protect this territory and manifest a personal respect of the owner to the newly nascent saints. These projects therefore combine a thought-out ideological program which is manifested not only by the execution of various works, but also by their deliberate close integration with the landscape.

Keywords: Lobkowicz, Jezeří, Baroque sculpture, Franz Anton Kuen, Jan Adam Dietz, extinct monuments

Published: March 1, 2017  Show citation