Original scientific paper
Monstrance-Type Altars – Problems of Origin Discussed on Examples from Volavje, Dropkovec and Štrigova
Martina Ožanić
; Ministarstvo kulture RH, Uprava za zaštitu kulturne baštine, Konzervatorski odjel u Zagrebu
Abstract
A singular group of retables, ingeniously denominated »monstrance-type altars« by Anđela Horvat, occupies a prominent position within the manifold corpus of 18th-century »non-arhitectonic« retables in orthwest Croatia. Conspicuous examples within this group located in Volavje, Dropkovec and Štrigova share a number of formal
haracteristics, despite their geographical distance, different authorship and patron saints. Their almost simultaneous appearance raises questions of the origin of such bold altar design, with apparently no similar examples in the neighbouring areas. The image of a saint
in glory surrounded by clouds and heavenly ensemble suggests the possibility of the type’s origin in church processions, which were accompanied by temporary constructions (macchine, apparati, fercule) designed for the veneration of a miraculous painting or sculpture. The affi nities between disposable scene designs intended for ceremonial devotions and altar compositions realized in more permanent material are clearly visible in similarly rendered motifs of pronounced theatricality and dramatic values, aimed at visually attractive narration within the limits of church doctrine.
Keywords
»non-architectonic« retables; 18th century; Volavje; Dropkovec; Štrigova; processional devotions
Hrčak ID:
188431
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2011.
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