Kozielskie meadows. Archangel Michael with the face of the priest

The priest from the parish in Łąki Kozielskie in the Opole region ordered a picture depicting the Archangel Michael for his community. After unveiling the gift, the faithful noticed that the figure from the picture was very similar to their priest. – The gift has not been accepted, so it will be removed – commented the priest.

May 25 in the church Bl. Bronisława in Łąki Kozielskie in the Opole region was solemnly unveiled a new painting depicting the Archangel Michael. The work was ordered by a clergyman as a gift for the parish. They were created by his friend – the artist.

Some of the faithful immediately noticed that the face of the figure from the picture resembles their priest. The portal was the first to write about it Lokalna24.pl.

Archangel Michael with the face of the priest

The priest said he was surprised by this artistic procedure. – The intention was to show that everyone could find themselves in the form of a saint – he explained, quoted by Lokalna24.pl.

However, several parishioners found the picture inappropriate and the priest decided to remove it.

– The gift was not accepted, so it will be removed – the priest was to say jokingly, emphasizing that his goal was only to create a unique gift for the community.

“I would defend the artist”

– From the moment Christian art appeared, such treatments were used. They have already appeared in the art of ancient Rome. In this situation, we can talk about a certain image of the figure of the Archangel Michael. When the imagination occurs, the artist must use the images he has in the memory he knows. It also happened that the patron or client himself suggested the idea to use the face of contemporary people. This is a procedure known in the history of art for hundreds of years – says Dr. Szymon Kubiak, an art historian from the Academy of Arts in Szczecin.

As the priest explained, the painting was to be a faithful restoration of the work by Henryk Rosen. The artist who made them several dozen years ago modeled on the classic performance of the Archangel Michael, but used the modern model, which – as the priest points out – is a practice known in the history of sacred art.

– For me, the order itself proves a lack of imagination among the clergy, especially Catholic. Why make a copy from Rosen if we have today living artists who could interpret biblical scenes in a contemporary way? Simply, the Catholic Church is usually not ready for this kind of action. I would defend the artist here – adds an art historian.

Church in Łąki Kozielskie Blessed Bronisława is a cup temple of the All Saints' parish in Raszowa.

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