The Siege of Jerusalem and Mount Golgotha: Bemmel, Brueghel and Savery

Case Study of a Miniature from the Collection of the National Museum in Cracow

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/AUNC_ZiK.2023.004

Keywords

miniatures on parchment, miniatures on vellum, technological analysis, macro XRF analysis, Raman Spectroscopy, 16th century, Crucifixion, Jacob Savery

Abstract

Among over one thousand and two hundred miniatures owned by National Museum in Cracow it can be found very special one, the Crucifixion, painted on a piece of vellum of less than 6 centimeters in diameter. Its artistic roots lead to 16th century Netherlands. In museum inventories, this miniature was erroneously described as the Siege of Jerusalem and attributed to various artists. The examination of the technique, stylistic and chemical analysis, as well as deciphering the signature led to the identification the painter as Jacob Savery.

Author Biographies

Zofia Maniakowska-Jazownik, Muzeum Narodowe w Krakowie

Since 2000 conservator in the Paper and Leather Conservation Studio in the National Museum in Cracow (Poland). She holds an MA in conservation of oil paintings of polish artist Olga Boznańska painted on cardboard (University of Nicolaus Copernicus in Toruń, Poland), and PhD in conservation and care of collection of miniatures (University of Nicolaus Copernicus in Toruń, Poland). She gives lectures on preventive conservation of archival materials at Pedagogical University, Cracow.

Marta Matosz, Muzeum Narodowe w Krakowie

Since 2008 works in the Laboratory of Analysis and Nondestructive Investigation of Heritage Objects (LANBOZ) in the National Museum in Krakow (Poland) where she conducts research using X-ray fluorescence techniques to technological examination and analysis of museum objects. Marta Matosz graduated from Department of Chemistry, University in Wrocław (Poland) in 2007 and Postgraduate Department of Restoration of Architectural and Urban Monuments at the Faculty of Architecture Cracow University of Technology (2008).

Anna Ryguła, Muzeum Narodowe w Krakowie

Since 2018 assistant in the Laboratory of Analysis and Nondestructive Investigation of Heritage Objects (LANBOZ) in the National Museum in Krakow (Poland) where is responsible for application of Raman spectroscopy to conservation of art. Rygula holds a diploma in chemistry (2006) and a doctorate (2011) from Jagiellonian University in Krakow (Poland). Then she worked as an assistant and a head (2013-2015) of the Laboratory of Raman Spectroscopy in the Jagiellonian Centre for Experimental Therapeutics.

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Acta Universitatis Nicolai Copernici [Heritage Studies and Conservation Science]

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Published

2023-12-30

How to Cite

1.
MANIAKOWSKA-JAZOWNIK, Zofia, MATOSZ, Marta and RYGUŁA, Anna. The Siege of Jerusalem and Mount Golgotha: Bemmel, Brueghel and Savery: Case Study of a Miniature from the Collection of the National Museum in Cracow. Acta Universitatis Nicolai Copernici [Heritage Studies and Conservation Science]. Online. 30 December 2023. Vol. 54, p. 113–152. [Accessed 29 June 2025]. DOI 10.12775/AUNC_ZiK.2023.004.

Issue

Vol. 54 (2023)

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2023 Zofia Maniakowska-Jazownik, Marta Matosz, Anna Ryguła

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