Zprávy památkové péče 2017, 77(3):275-285

Reconstruction of the medieval statue of the Virgin with Child from the Malbork Castle Church and preservation of the mosaic at the Kwidzyn Cathedral

Marcin Kozarzewski

Monument Service

The article presents two mosaic decorations created in the 14th century on the territory of the Teutonic Order: a foundation plaque from around 1380 situated on the southern facade of the Kwidzyn Cathedral and a monumental statue of the Virgin and Child on the eastern facade of the Malbork Castle Church. Malbork's Madonna fell in ruins in 1945. After years of effort, it was reconstructed in 2014-2016. This work has become an impulse to trace the complex history of both these works as well as to undertake the conservation of the mosaic in Kwidzyn, previously renovated in 1902. The article contains a report on the study and complex work with both monuments. The thread of the origin of the oldest glass from both mosaics of Prussia is analyzed. However, the question of whether we are dealing directly with the workshop which created the mosaic of the Last Judgment on the facade of the St. Vitus cathedral in Prague remains open.

Keywords: Malbork, Kwidzyn, mosaics, medieval art, Poland, Bohemia

Published: September 1, 2017  Show citation