Restoration of Andrychów’s historic Marian icon begins, preserving its artistry and preparing for papal coronation in 2025.
The 18th-century painting of Our Lady of the Rosary from St. Matthias Parish in Andrychów has been sent to Krakow’s Academy of Fine Arts for expert restoration. Scheduled to receive papal crowns in June 2025, the image undergoes extensive testing and conservation led by Professor Marta Lempart-Gieratowska.
Revealing the Painting’s Condition
Measuring 120 x 230 cm, the oil-on-canvas masterpiece was revealed to have overpainted sections and worn areas needing retouching. Funded in 1725 by Anna Czerny, the painting demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship, particularly in the portrayal of Mary, the Child, and angelic figures.
Iconographic Significance
This “painting within a painting” combines the revered Salus Populi Romani iconography and a depiction of the donor praying with a rosary, flanked by angels. A testament to Andrychów’s rich spiritual heritage, it reflects Jesuit influence on Marian art of the era.