The Ethnology Notebooks. 2024. № 6 (180), 1587—1598
UDK [726.04.03:271.4-523.4-9](477.83-25)”18/20″
THE CHAPEL OF THE HOUSE OF INVALIDS IN LVIV: CONCEPT, IMPLEMENTATION AND THE STATE OF PRESERVATION OF THE ORIGINAL DECOR
HERII Oksana
- ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8383-227X
- Ph. D in Art Studies, Senior Researcher at the Art
- Studies Department, The Institute of Ethnology
- of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,
- 15, Svobody Avenue, 79000, Lviv, Ukraine,
- Contacts: e-mail: oheriy@ukr.net
KARPIV Vasyl
- ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1297-8829
- Postgraduate student of the Department of Art Works Restoration
- of the Lviv National Academy of Arts, restorer of Ukraine,
- III category, head of the restoration bureau «KARP restorer»,
- 38, Kubiyovycha St., 79011, Lviv, Ukraine,
- Contacts: e-mail: vasylkarpiv@gmail.com
Abstract. The article explores the history of the construction of the House of Invalids in Lviv chapel (now the Church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin, 35 Kleparivska Street) in the context of the development of sacral architecture in the mid. of 19th century. The chapel was designed by Viennese architect Theophil Hansen, marking the first example of a sacral building in the Neo-Byzantine style in Galicia.
The purpose of the article is to analyze the artistic decoration of the monument’s interior and assess the current state of preservation of its authentic murals. The study examines in detail the adaptation of the architectural project to local conditions in Lviv. Hansen’s interior design for the chapel is given particular attention as it represents the first significant example in Galicia of a carefully studied Byzantine church mural system. The design conceptually presents the hierarchical arrangement of sacred images.
It is suggested that this proposal for the mural decoration of a domed church became an influential model for the decoration of Greek Catholic churches in Galicia in the early 20th century. Unfortunately, most of the authentic murals have been lost due to overpainting, but stratigraphic studies have revealed preserved fragments that demonstrate the high artistic quality of the original artwork.
The results of field surveys and restoration research conducted in 2024 confirmed the critical condition of the monument caused by prolonged dampness, plaster degradation, and layers of modern overpainting. The article substantiates recommendations for conservation and restoration measures using modern technologies, such as laser cleaning of the facades and in-depth studies of the authentic mural layers. The importance of urgent conservation of the monument and the development of a scientifically grounded restoration program is emphasized to restore the chapel’s interior to its original appearance and preserve this unique cultural heritage monument.
Keywords: Neo-Byzantine style, Theophil Hansen, church murals, sculptural décor, mural preservation, restoration research.
Received 10.12.2024
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