Ślady polichromii na nagrobkach żydowskich z obszaru dawnego powiatu olkuskiego

The gravestones (matsevahs) presented in this article come from Jewish cemeteries in Olkusz, Sławkow and Pilica. The chronology of their origin dates from a period spanning from the mid-nineteenth century to 1941. As a branch of religious art, Jewish sepulchral art demonstrates direct similarity with sacral paintings in synagogues, with which it shares joint roots. It also developed a certain set of symbols depicted usually in the form of bas reliefs or reliefs. The bas relief was supplemented by totally original polychromy. Today, traces o f colourful gravestone decorations are the only examples of unprofessional Jewish painting associated with sacral art. Vividness, sharp transitions and contrasting colour indicate a certain Oriental strain, which for centuries accompanied Jewish art. It would be useful to examine paint samples in order to determine their composition, types of priming, pigments and binders. Undertakings of this type, however, are costly and require group effort. Another worthwhile conception is a special questionnaire, which would include data concerning polychromy. Finally, it is w orth postulating additional colour photographs for the purposes of inventories in those concrete cases when colours are visible. In rites and mythologies colour usually possesses, or possessed a strictly designated meaning, frequently not totally clear. Only a thorough study focusing on traces of polychromy on Jewish gravestones could provide us with (or bring us closer to) answers to the question concerning the extent to which aesthetic sensitivity of the past survived within “folk” art to our times. Hence the urgent need for pertinent publications, especially if we take into consideration the damage incurred to historical monuments by atmospheric conditions.

Sprostowanie W poprzednim numerze „Ochrony Zabytków” (1/2000) w artykule Diariusza Rozmusa Ślady polichromii na nagrobkach żydowskich z obszaru dawnego powiatu okulskiego zamiast .......... winno być ......... (patrz pdf)