Treści ideowe XV-XVII wiecznych płyt nagrobnych i epitafijnych na przykładzie kościołów Dekanatu Wawrzeńczyce k. Krakowa
- Year of publication: 2002
- Source: Show
- Pages: 145-152
- DOI Address: http://dx.doi.org/10.15804/ksm200211
- PDF: ksm/06/ksm200211.pdf
Throughout the ages the epitaph has been under evolution process. Originally small figure of a dead person has evaluated into fair-sized spatial composition including image of admirer as well as extended religious scenes. Originally short information about a dead person has grown into a spacious poetical works commemorating his deeds and virtues. However, its character and aim of its foundation stays the same since ages. Relatives and close relations of a dead person try to commemorate his name in this way, having the belief in great influence of religious practices upon the dead person loss, awakening piety and contributing to his eternal peace.
In Małopolska (The Little Poland region) there is the greatest number of preserved gothic tombstones (ca. 70 % of all existing entities in Poland). The following epochs have also been represented here through many examples of sepulcrical art. It must be tied to the great importance of Cracow and other cities of the region throughout the ages. On the area of Wawrzenczyce decanate them existed five of epitaph tombstones out of Middle Ages epoch — one in Czulice, the remaining four in Ruszcze. Three out of four Ruszcze epitaphs which were commemorated to: Gregory of Ruszcze from 1444 A.D.. John of Krzysztoporzyce from 1465 A.D. and Hieronimus Branicki from 1517 A.D. are lost. The ones that remained am dedicated to the memory of Wierzbieta of Branice from 1425 A.D. in Ruszcze and tombstone of John Czulicki of the first half of fifteenth century in Czulice. In churches of this decanate one can still admire renaissance epitaphs : in Ruszcza — of the Krzysztoporscy family from 1599 A.D., Stanislaus Kalinowski from 1668 A.D. and George Telszewski from 1679 A.D.; in Luborzyca - of Sigismund Linczewski from 1583 A.D. as well as of the Ozarowscy family from 1607 A.D. in the parish church of Igolomia.
As long as the people were buried in churches and their neighbouring area — the epitaphs were founded, and their aim were obvious. In time. that custom had ceized and cementaries started to appear. the cult of dead persons worship has changest its place for cementary and the place of an epitaph has taken a monument.