Hausarbeit_1-0

7/29/2019 Hausarbeit_1-0

1/18

SEMINAR PAPER

JESUIT HISTORY AND ART IN WROCAW

Student: Sarah Seefried

Tutor: MA A. Jezierska

Course: In the Heart of Europe History of Silesian Art and Culture

Date: Wrocaw,18.01.2013

Uniwersytet Wrocawski Wydzia Nauk Historycznych i Pedagogicznych Instytut Historii Sztuki


2/18

I

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of contents .................................................................................................................... I

Table of Figures ..................................................................................................................... II

Table of Abbreviations .......................................................................................................... III

Preface .................................................................................................................................. 1

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 2

1.1 Status of Literature .................................................................................................. 2

1.2 Short History of the Jesuit Order ............................................................................. 2

2 University of Wrocaw (opened 15th November 1702 as Universitas Leopoldina) .......... 4

2.1 Historical Outlines.................................................................................................... 4

2.2 Architectural Description.......................................................................................... 5

2.3 Interior ..................................................................................................................... 6

3 University Church of the Blessed Name of Jesus (1689 1698) ..................................... 8

3.1 Historical Outlines.................................................................................................... 8

3.2 Architectural Description.......................................................................................... 8

3.3 Interior ..................................................................................................................... 9

4 Summary and Prospect ................................................................................................. 11

5 Reference List .............................................................................................................. 12

6 Source of Figures .......................................................................................................... 13

7 Declaration of Authorship ............................................................................................. 14


3/18

II

TABLE OF FIGURES

Img. 1: Floor plan of the main university building like planned in 1727. .................................. 5

Img. 2: Front of the main university building. ......................................................................... 5

Img. 3: Back front of the main university building. ................................................................. 6

Img. 4: Floor plan of the university church. ............................................................................ 8

Img. 5: South and east front of the university church. ............................................................ 9


4/18

III

TABLE OF ABBREVIATIONS

ed. edited

et al. et alii and others

f. e. for example

img. image

p. page

s. n. sine nomine without name

transl. translated


5/18

1

PREFACE

The on hand papers purpose is to collect verified information about the University of

Wrocaw in relation to the history of Jesuits in Silesia and to create a scientific description ofits architecture.

The first chapter is about common information regarding the temporary status of

international available literature and the history of the Jesuit order.

The second chapter includes a compilation of historical facts and description of details of

exterior and interior of the main building of the university.

The third chapter deals with similar information about the university church.

The fourth chapter encompasses give a short summary and prospect about the collected

information.


6/18

2

1 INTRODUCTION1.1 STATUS OF LITERATUREThe majority of available literature dealing with the art and history of the University ofWrocaw is in Polish language and can be found in libraries that focus on Silesian culture.

Literature in German language was mainly written at the beginning of the 20th century, when

the university was still known as Schlesische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universitt zu Breslau

under Prussian leadership. F. e. there is an extensive book about the history and art of the

university from 1918 by Bernhard Patzak1 which provides a lot of useful information but does

focus on the use of scientific methods. In the later 20th century there have been newer

Polish publications by Henryk Dziurla2 that have been translated several times and are also

available in English. These might be the most important publications for scientific works as

they provide the most current information that is available internationally.

1.2 SHORT HISTORY OF THE JESUIT ORDERThe Catholic order Societas Jesu3 was founded in Paris in 1539 by Ignatius of Loyola.4 In

1540 they received the pontifical affirmation.5 Their motto, which is often shown in relation

with depictions of the founder, is Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam.6As their sign they chose the

Christogram of western Christianity IHS, which is standing for Iesus Hominum Salvator,7

additionally being related to In Hoc Signo Vinces. These Latin words have been adopted by

Caesar Constantine I. after he had a dream of the chi rho8, and refer to the Greek saying

.9 Therefore the Jesuits can be seen as directly related to the earliest times of

Christianity. This attitude is also noticeable in their aim to serve the pope on the one hand

but to go back to the original words of the bible and live a slightly reformed Catholicism on

the other hand. Ignatius of Loyola, for example, originally was a student and member of themilitary. He had a wife and children before he decided to become a religious servant of

Catholicism. The military background of Ignatius was also responsible for his famous

1 (Patzak, 1918)2 F. e. (Dziurla, et al., 1976) and (Dziurla, 1993)3 Society of Jesus.4 (Schfer, 2010) Ignatius von Loyola5 (Schfer, 2010) Jesuitenorden6 AMDG For the greater glory of god.7

Jesus, Savior of Men.8Christs Monogram.9 In this sign you will conquer.


7/18

3

demand that a Jesuit had to be a Soldier of Christ. These words led to a long and strong

tradition of proselytization in all known areas of the world. The Jesuits were known for

proselytizing peacefully and without violence, which indicates that they interpreted the

soldiership for Christ as being a matter of heart.

The date of origin belongs to the anxious period of Reformation in Europe. 1545 1563 the

Council of Trent10 took place at which the Catholic Church tried to answer the Protestant

disputes and influenced the treatment of pictures in Catholic religion. The statements of

Jesuit religion obviously show that spirit of Catholic revival.

The first Jesuit house of studies with grammar school in Silesia was founded in 1597 in

Kodzko11, although there have been visits to explore the possibilities in Wrocaw before. The

spread of Jesuit presence in Silesia was supported by the Habsburg emperor dynasty. Afterthe Battle of the White Mountain in 1620 many Protestant churches were confiscated as a

punishment and partly reused by the Jesuits.12At that time Wrocaw was the biggest and

most important city in Silesia. It was mainly inhabited by Protestants and the City Council

was Protestant as well. The Jesuits were supported by the emperor and noble men,

however. Although trying to form a Jesuit university since 16 th century they were only able

to found a mission including a grammar school in Wrocaw in 1638 that was upgraded to a

residence in 1639 and to a college in 1646.

Due to the support of the Habsburgian emperor dynasty the Jesuits adopted the Style of

Habsburgian Baroque, which mainly spread in Austria and geared to French baroque palaces.

Although approved by the Catholic Church with the increasing number of supporters and

increasing influence at education the Jesuits started to become a serious danger to the

Vatican. This led to a period of suppression in the 18th century that lasted until the 19th

century.

10

(Baumgarten, 2006) p. 6311 (Dziurla, et al., 1976) p. 1312 (Baumgarten, 2006) p. 71


8/18

4

2 UNIVERSITY OF WROCAW (OPENED 15THNOVEMBER 1702 AS UNIVERSITAS LEOPOLDINA)

2.1 HISTORICAL OUTLINESThough supported by emperor Leopold I. there was a strong resistance by the city council

and struggle against the foundation of a Jesuit university that was based on the so called

Act of Linz from 1645 which allowed the establishment of a college only. In 1659 Leopold

transferred his castle in Wrocaw ad interim13 to the Jesuits. After they gained the

permanent ownership, they started reconstruction works, such as lowering the Gothic roof

in the southeast section in 1675. But due to the growing number of students which

included Protestants as well as Catholics they needed to gain more space and decided toerect a new building.14 This happened in two phases. The first phase was 1728 1732 in

which the Aula Leopoldina Complex had been built by master builder Blasius Peintner. The

second phase was 1733 1741 in which the Oratorium Marianum,15 the Mathematical

Tower and the so called Under the Pillar16 had been built by master builder Joseph Frisch.

When Silesia became a part of the Prussian Empire under Friedrich II. in 1742, it stopped

being antireformatory. As Friedrich was not known for his engagement in religious issues

and more for his military endeavors, he allowed the Jesuits to stay in Wrocaw anyway andto continue teaching at the university. This generosity was honored with a picture of

Friedrich II. in one of the representative halls.

During the Siege of Breslau in 1945 the Nazis moved their headquarters to the university

library. The damages caused by 2nd World War already started to get reconstructed in 1945

when a group of scholars and students17 tried to save as much as possible of the

demolished parts.

13 Temporary.14 Compare plans of castle and university at related handout for presentation.15

1733.16 No clear dates available.17 Scholarly-Cultural Group.


9/18

5

2.2 ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION

Img. 1: Floor plan of the main university building like planned in 1727.

The floor plan of the main university building shows a longitudinal building with a clear 3

nave structure in the eastern part that is one huge hall. The western part consists of 2 naves

that are cut into a hall and a corridor. Westwards they become smaller and are closed by

cross rooms. The middle part of the building is dominated by a representative staircase with

a tower above.

Img. 2: Front of the main university building.

The front of the university building consists of two symmetrical side parts that are broken bya central projection. The faade is horizontally divided into four stories. The lowest the

Parterre is bordered by straight cornice from the first floor the Beletage. The height of

the Beletage is the same as of the second floor. But the strongly decorated windows mark

the first floor as the representative one. Above the second floor there is a Mezzanine a half

sized floor for servants. The window registers are divided by colossal pilasters in the corner

parts and colossal stucco works in the other parts. The central projection includes the round

main portal. The decoration there grows more complicated and intense from outside to

inside. So you can see simple pilasters at the outer parts and detached columns at the inner


10/18


11/18

7

side walls are broken by painted conches. The pillars of the side walls are decorated withportraits of historical persons that have been important to the history of the university. In theangular point of the room there is an architectural formed canopy with a sitting figure ofLeopold flanked by figures of Industria and Consileo18 while Foolishness and Discord arefalling down. At the side-pillars of this particular area figures of the two sons of Leopold are

situated.

The Oratorium Marianum19 (1st floor) was erected during the second building phase. Like theAula Leopoldina it had been reconstructed in newer times. But here the paintings at theceiling are still missing. Regarding to its name this room was meant to be a music hall tosing and pray the liturgy of Mary. The rooms entrance on the south side also leads to amusicians gallery that is decorated with monograms of Mary which can be found at theentire room several times. The side conches are painted with emblematic paintings of saintsand apostles and scenes of Marys life.

18 Effort and wisdom.19 To get knowledge of the history of reconstruction compare with (Herder-Institut).


12/18

8

3 UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF THE BLESSED NAME OFJESUS (1689 1698)

3.1 HISTORICAL OUTLINESIn 1688 the Jesuits received the permission to build a church in Wrocaw. It was erected

next to the emperors castle and finished before they started building the new university.

During the 2nd World war it used as a magazine and today it is used for university issues.

Luckily the war caused just about ten percent of destruction so that most of the interior

could be preserved and is still original but restored.

The design of the church goes back to the Italian architect Theodor Moretti while the interior

was painted by Johann Rottmayer between 1703 and 1706. 1722 1734 decorators formed

the decoration under guidance of Christoph Tausch.

3.2 ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION

Img. 4: Floor plan of the university church.

The floor plan shows a five bays wide vestibule. The main part consists of one nave with

eight conches that have exactly the same width as the four side chapels at the choir. On the

north side there is an external sacristy. The building is connected to the main building via a

breaker that leads to the western entrance of the church. For that reason the western


13/18

9

facade is covered by another building and does not show the representative decorations to

the outside as usual.

Img. 5: South and east front of the university church.

The southern facade of the nave shows a two story structure with round arched windows

that are crowned with copped temple gables at the lower floor and round ones at the 2nd

floor. The window registers are all separated by colossal pilasters. That structure is leading

to the eastern faade. The distinguishable feature here is an alternation of the window sizes.

The windows belonging to the side chapels of the choir are smaller on the 2 nd floor, while in

the middle part there is no window at the 1st floor but a bigger window at the 2nd floor. At

the 1st floor there is an alcove instead, that might have been decorated with a sculpture

once. The missing window here refers to the arrangement of the interior. It is visible to the

outside, that almost the whole wall is covered by the altar. Above the straight cornice there

is a faade front that (as most Jesuit churches do) refers to Il Ges in Rome. It is crowned

by a round cornice with the Christogram.

3.3 INTERIORThe simple outside structure shows the inner structure. The chapels are marked by the

faade pilasters and formed by drawn in buttresses which are also the base for a gallery at

the 2nd floor. A gallery is more common for Protestant churches. But as there were

Protestant students at the university and the city was mainly inhabited by Protestants theremight have been a dialogue between the Protestant council and the Catholic order. The


14/18

10

vestibule in the western part is also crowned by a gallery for the organists. The entire

interior is strongly decorated with stucco works and paintings. The program of these

decorations is very complex and orientated at the architectural structure. The middle point is

formed by the altar that consists of architectural shapes such as columns and broken

pediments that homogeny include the altar into the architectural structure and surround a

huge painting of the Birth of Christ by Christoph Tausch, who was a student of the Jesuit

painter Andrea Pozzo. Around the chapels there are three subject areas shown in narrative

picture cycles: scenes of the Life of Christ, Stations of the Cross and scenes of the lifes of

Jesuit saints. The central saints that are explicitly shown near to the choir at the crossing

pillars as sculptures are Ignatius of Loyola and Franz Xaver, the Jesuit missioner of the

eastern world.20 This shows that they are two of the most important saints to the Jesuits. It

is said that the iconology of the paintings around is more complicated than usual. To analyzethis would be part of a bigger project.

20 (Schfer, 2010) Franz Xaver


15/18

11

4 SUMMARY AND PROSPECTDue to the little destruction of its university buildings and the university church the Wrocaw

University is an important contemporary witness for the influence of Austrian Baroque toeastern European regions and also an example of historical correct reconstruction. It is also

an important historical factor for Silesian education and economy in a region that was

affected by changing nationalities several times. Interestingly these continuous changes did

not affect the original baroque design or over regional meaning of the university although it

has been in use ever since.

In the future it might be useful to refresh the knowledge about the architecture that is

available internationally. Due to its strong connection to German history and society thereshould definitely be a bigger research released among German experts since the last

extensive one is almost one hundred years old.


16/18

12

5 REFERENCE LISTBaumgarten, Jens. 2006. Jesuitische Bildpolitik zwischen berwltigung undberprfbarkeit am Beispiel der Jesuitenkirchen in Breslau und Glatz, in: Jesuitische

Frmmigkeitskulturen. Konfessionelle Interaktion in Ostmitteleuropa 1570-1700 ed. A.

Ohlidal and S. Samerski. Stuttgart : s.n., 2006. series: Forschungen zur Geschichte und

Kultur des stlichen Mitteleuropa, vol. 28.

Dziurla, Henryk. 1993. AULA LEOPOLDINA. Universitatis Wratislaviensis. Wrocaw : s.n.,1993.

Dziurla, Henryk and [Transl.] Byczkowska, Ewa. 1976.University of Wrocaw. Wrocaw : s.n.,1976.

Herder-Institut. Herder Institut - Restaurierung des Musiksaals der Universitt Breslau.[Online] [Zitat vom: 18. January 2013.] http://www.herder-

institut.de/startseite/sammlungen/bilder/bildmaterialien-in-forschung-und-

praxis/restaurierung-musiksaal-universitaet-breslau.html.

Patzak, Bernhard. 1918. Die Jesuitenbauten in Schlesien und ihre Architekten. in: Studienzur schlesischen Kunstgeschichte vol. 1 . Straburg : s.n., 1918.

Schfer, Joachim. 2010. kumenisches Heiligenlexikon - Franz Xaver. [Online] 2010. [Zitatvom: 18. January 2013.] http://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienF/Franz_Xaver.htm.

. 2010. kumenisches Heiligenlexikon - Ignatius von Loyola. [Online] 2010. [Zitat vom: 18.January 2013.] http://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienI/Ignatius_von_Loyola.htm.

. 2010. Okumenisches Heiligenlexikon - Jesuitenorden. [Online] 2010. [Zitat vom: 18.January 2013.] http://www.heiligenlexikon.de/Orden/Jesuiten.htm.


17/18

13

6 SOURCE OF FIGURESImg. 1: Floor plan of the main university building like planned in 1727.:(Dziurla, et al., 1976)

p. 49

Img. 2: Front of the main university building.: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/

commons/e/e6/University_Square_in_Wroc%C5%82aw%2C_Poland_2.jpg and

http://upload. wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5d/WroclawUniwerek.jpg[18.01.2013]

Img. 3: Back front of the main university building.: http://upload.wikimedia.org/

wikipedia/commons/6/64/Uniwersytet%2C_widok_od_strony_Odry_%2C_padma_DSC_215

1.JPG[18.01.2013]

Img. 4: Floor plan of the university church.:(Dziurla, et al., 1976) p. 81

Img. 5: South and east front of the university church.: http://media-

cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/e8/46/f9/university-church-of.jpg[18.01.2013]


18/18

14

7 DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIPDeclaration by word of honorI hereby certify that this paper has been composed by me and is based on my own

work, unless stated otherwise. No other persons work has been used without due

acknowledgement in this paper. All references and verbatim extracts have been quoted,

and all sources of information, including graphs and data sets, have been specifically

acknowledged.

Wrocaw, 18.01.2013 Sarah Seefried

Documents

Hausarbeit_1-0