Andromeda's Liberation in Monastery. Kosmas Damian Asam’s Fresco Painting at Břevnov (1726) Revisited

0349875 - FLÚ 2011 RIV CZ eng J - Journal Article
Bažant, Jan
Andromeda's Liberation in Monastery. Kosmas Damian Asam’s Fresco Painting at Břevnov (1726) Revisited.
Eirene. Roč. 46, č. 46 (2010), s. 234-249. ISSN 0046-1628
R&D Projects: GA AV ČR(CZ) IAA800090902
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z90090514
Keywords : frescoes * ancient mythology * monastery * Baroque
Subject RIV: AA - Philosophy ; Religion

In the ceiling fresco of the main hall of the monastery's prelature a privileged position was accorded to the depiction of nude Andromeda. In order to glorify Perseus' piety and restraint, she had to be an attractive woman, a counterpart of music, perfumes, food and drink and the other pleasures of flesh, which are also represented in this fresco. The ceiling painting proclaims that the Iustitia of Břevnov monks firmly rests on a triad of moral virtues, Sapientia, Fortitudo and Temperantia. Into this ideological program the story of Perseus was embedded, the pagan hero being presented as a forerunner and alter ego of Blessed Guntherus. The old story celebrated the antiquity of the Břevnov monastery and its classical aura tied it with Rome and its imperial tradition.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0190004