Sacristy: inlays

The sacristy of the Bielany church stands out for its unique beauty. The cupboards for liturgical vessels and vestments running along the walls are delightful. The decoration of the sacristy is made of inlaid wood of many species and tones. The multicolored compositions depict sophisticated floral and figural motifs. There are also inlaid drawings of the two monastic crests, and even a sketch of the fountains with the date 1630 inscribed above them. The furniture blends perfectly with the equally richly decorated paneling. Impressive niches made room for elaborate sculptures of hermit saints. This is one of the finest examples of Baroque decorative art of this type in the Polish lands.

Beneath the large painting in the central part of the room is a beautiful miniature painting known as “Christ in the Well.” It is a small, elongated painting on wood, with a size of only 75×29 cm. On a gilded background there is a half-figure of the tormented Christ wearing a crown of thorns and bleeding. Two angels with green wings hold Jesus’ pierced hands on either side. This tiny masterpiece was originally placed in the altar of the Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel. It is an outstanding example of 16th-century painting of probably local (Cracow) origin with clear Italian influences.