Revelations of the Polychromy Research in the Church of Our Lady of Consolation and the Vilnius Augustinian Monastery Complex
Acta Academiae Artium Vilnensis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37522/aaav.114.2024.258Abstract
Polychromy research conducted in 2021 at the Church of Our Lady of Consolation (unique object identification code 1093, Savičiaus St. 15, Vilnius) serves as a valuable supplement to historiographic material, particularly in light of limited information available on church interiors. The visitation document of 1830 noted elaborate decorations, including artificial marble and gilded mouldings on altars, painted vaults, and marble floors. However, in 1858, during the conversion of the building into an Eastern Orthodox church, significant alterations took place – monks’ choir removal, pulpit demolition, altar dismantling, and destruction of décor. A fire in 1944 further damaged the church, leading to its conversion into a storage facility in 1962, followed by reconstruction in 1967. The building endured neglect for an extended period, and subsequent reconstructions and repairs inflicted considerable harm on the church’s interior and its polychrome décor.
Prior to 2021, the church’s polychromy had never been subject to study. The recent research, however, unveiled the evolution of both façades and interior polychromy. The church tower façade revealed fragments of painted décor, showcasing polychrome painting of architectural elements from the initial stage in the 18th century.
Exploring the interior polychromy, the study identified individual Baroque-era décor fragments. This discovery suggests that post-construction, the vaults were adorned, and trompe l’oeil altars were painted on the walls of the side naves.
In the course of Soviet-era reconstruction, the church’s interior underwent complete destruction, with the exception of the adornments in the chapel of the Lord Jesus, albeit obscured by paint layers. A meticulous examination of the chapel brought to light the evolution of its polychromy, revealing hidden trompe l’oeil paintings on the walls and vaults. There are now plans to dismantle the 20th-century partitions, aiming to restore and showcase this artwork in the future.
Detailed research was conducted to assess the preservation status of the church’s polychromy, identifying valuable features and providing recommendations for ongoing maintenance efforts. Photofixation of façades and interior décor, along with the creation of copies, played a crucial role. Additionally, colour retrospections capturing key stages in the development of polychromy were established, aiding in the restoration and reproduction of the original colour scheme from the church’s initial polychrome phase. The research furnishes comprehensive insights into suitable conservation techniques for preserving and exhibiting these valuable décor discoveries.