Gothic Wall Paintings in the Church of Saints Apostles Peter and Paul in Morąg

The History of Discovery and Conservation Issues

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present recent research on the 15th-century wall paintings preserved in the chancel of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Morąg (Prusy Górne / Oberland). Despite their poor condition and modest artistic quality, these paintings represent one of the most significant examples of late Gothic mural art in the region, yet they have not been thoroughly examined in either monographic or comparative studies. The research was based on historical sources related to the parish in Morąg and a broad range of scholarly literature. Its primary method was a detailed heritage-based visual analysis of the paintings, with particular attention to their state of preservation, supported by non-invasive analytical techniques. The study addressed the history of the paintings’ discovery, the course of conservation campaigns, and their current condition. A key issue emerging from the research was the degree of authenticity of the preserved imagery. These findings provide a foundation for further, more in-depth stylistic and iconographic studies.