Ancient and sacred art

Coffin portrait of Jan Zygmunt Staniszewski

Coffin portrait of Jan Zygmunt Staniszewski

Oil on a copper plate Poland, 18th century

Coffin portraits
Commonly painted on sheet metal a portrait was fixed on the narrow end of the coffin where the legs of the deceased were. After the funeral ceremony, the portrait would often be hung on a church wall. This unique ritual played significant part in the ceremony known as Pompa Funebris. A coffin rested in church on a decorative catafalque called castrum doloris (Latin castle of grief) constructed especially for that purpose.  Having a portrait during the funeral ceremony symbolized the presence of the deceased among the mourners. 
 
Coffin portrait of Jan Zygmunt Staniszewski
Author: Muzeum Regionalne w Krasnymstawie
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