Art-historical analysis

Fragments of the first layer of murals can be found on the lower part of the interior band and the nave side of the triumphal arch, as well as on the southern wall of the nave. Originally, the mural was probably limited to the part around the altar area, which was replaced in the 17th century, as only the consecration crosses on the nave walls survive from this stage. On both sides of the interior triumphal arch band, a part of a wide bordure consisting of a zigzag of alternating branching leaves, probably acanthus, has been preserved. The basic drawing is dark reddish-brown, while diagonal yellow lines separate the green bottom leaves from the purple upper ones. On the southern side, the lower part of the drapery belonging to a standing figure is preserved above the bordure. The lower garment is indicated by a dark brown drawing and modelled in green. The creases softly fold along the floor, while the toes of the figure’s left foot are visible under the drapery on the right. The coat hanging on both sides of the figure is painted in a warmer reddish hue. A part of a yellow background and a simple green vertical striped border is also visible on the right. An acanthus bordure probably also ran vertically along the edge of the triumphal arch towards the east, and we can assume that the lower part of the lost original altar area was filled by a series of standing saints, probably apostles. The colours of the border on the northern side are better preserved, but it is partially covered with fragments of an early 16th-century bordure. A fragment from the same early layer has been preserved a few decimetres above the bordure, suggesting that a figure wearing a purple garment was painted here. The triumphal arch decoration has also been partially preserved on the nave part of the wall: there, a dark red band (caput mortum), a few centimetres thick, continues at the bottom, running from the interior side of the triumphal arch to the nave part, where it soon turns upwards. Judging from the fragments on the northern part of the wall, it used to follow the original Romanesque semi-circular arch of the triumphal wall. Below the fragments of the 16th-century layer, parts of older paintings are noticeable on the bottom of the southern side. These, however, do not allow for a reliable interpretation at this time (August 2021): the nave edge of the triumphal arch wall may have been bordered by a typical stylised acanthus ornament, but given how narrow the band is, it is less likely that other figures would have been present here.

The mural is severely fragmented, but the paint layer remains relatively visible on the surviving parts.

With its rather elegant drawing and modelling, the modest drapery fragment hints at a good painter trained in the then-prevailing High Gothic drawing style.

The middle of the 14th century, before 1363.

An unknown painter.

Due to the poor preservation of the fragment, the figure cannot be identified with certainty. Given that the outline of the left foot under the drapery suggests that the figure was barefoot or wearing only sandals, it is more likely that it portrayed a man, perhaps one of the apostles that usually filled the central zone of the altar areas during this period.

According to the extant archival information, the mural was probably commissioned by Count Otto of Ortenburg.[1] This assumption would also be supported by the mural’s superior artistic and technical quality.

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[1] HÖFLER 2001, pp. 201–202; HÖFLER 2015, p. 155; HÖFLER 2016, pp. 267–268.

Technical analysis

Pigments: white lime, yellow earth, red earth (haematite), green earth or malachite, organic black

Analytical techniques: OM, Raman, FTIR

The plaster is exceedingly hard, probably due to consolidation but also because of its quality composition. The cross-sections of the tiny samples reveal a bright plaster made of lime and angular translucent and white grains (Figs. 1–2). The latter are probably crushed limestone, marble, or quartz, pointing at the Italian Trecento tradition of white intonaco. Due to the mural’s fragmentary nature, it is impossible to distinguish any potential giornate.

The painter used pigments suitable for al fresco painting, i.e. those resistant to moisture and alkaline environments: white lime, yellow and red earth (Figs. 1–2), green earth or malachite (Fig. 3), and some organic black pigment (Fig. 2). Only the red colour sample has been analysed using the FTIR technique, which revealed silicates, i.e. earth. The primary binder is lime from the plaster.

Despite the fragmentary state of preservation, the colour layers are still very resistant, indicating that they were painted on fresh plaster. This has been confirmed by the cross-sections (Figs. 1–2). Most of the modelling that can be seen on the remains of the draperies was obviously also applied al fresco.

Thin incisions were used to make the horizontal and vertical bordures and diagonal lines filling the broad intermediary space under the figure wearing a light-green garment. The lower red bordure on the southern wall of the triumphal arch continues on the triumphal arch’s nave wall. However, that part of the bordure is no longer outlined by an incision but by a stamped black horizontal line. Thin incisions, covered by the final contour, were also used for the folds of the green drapery. Black colour was used for the underdrawing, which can be seen on some of the light-green drapery. The modelling was applied on the basic local colours (light grey, red), painted with broad brushes. The painter modelled the light-green drapery by first tracing broad light-grey folds, applying the light-green colour, and finishing them with a dark-red contour. This is clearly visible in the sample cross-section (Fig. 2). He outlined the top edge of the horizontal folds along the floor with a light-pink shadow and finished everything with a dark-red contour, drawn with a centimetre-thick semi-dry brush.

Gallery

Virtual 360° view

Velike Poljane, Succursal church of St Thomas the Apostle, Stage 1 (Velike Poljane), 2024 (last updated 24. 10. 2024). Corpus picturarum muralium medii aevi, https://corpuspicturarum.zrc-sazu.si/en/poslikava/phase-1-velike-poljane/ (13. 3. 2026).

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