Lviv
Katedralna square, 1
“Boim Chapel or St. The Trinity and the Passion of the Lord was built as the tomb of the most powerful patrician family in Lviv, in which fourteen of its representatives were laid to rest. The construction of the building on the territory of the former cemetery at the Latin Cathedral began in 1609 and took place in two stages: the first — 1609—1611, the second, on which decorative decorations were made — 1611—1615. The initiative for the foundation of the family mausoleum belonged to George (Derdu) Boim, a native of Hungary, merchant and ruler, who held important positions at the court of King Stefan Batory of Poland. The construction was completed by the son of the protoplast of the genus, Pavel Boim.
Although the names of the builders are not known for certain, the project was probably directed by Andreas Bemer, a Lviv architect and sculptor of German origin. The sandstone chapel is square in plan, topped by a dome on the octagon, completed by a lantern on which the figure of Christ is located. The most magnificent decoration is located on the western facade. The main author of the carvings, probably, was Gannusz Scholz.
The western facade is divided into three tiers. The first is decorated with six columns on pedestals decorated with carved ornaments. The central pair of columns flank the entrance gate, the side ones are the figures of the apostles Peter and Paul. In the second tier there are medallions with images of prophets. The most valuable are the sculptural decorations of the third tier, in particular the reliefs of the Holy Cycle, on which the beating of Jesus, carrying, prostration, removal from the cross are recreated. The more restrained decor of the north and east facades includes pilasters and ornate cornice elements. On the wall of the eastern facade are authentic fresco portraits of Georgy Boim and his wife Yadwiga from the Anchevsk house. The decoration of the building combines features of late Renaissance architecture with plastic motifs of northern mannerism.
The dominant of the interior is the altar, decorated with rich carvings and reliefs, made at different times by Hanusz Scholz and Jan Pfister. The style of the decor traces the influence of the late German Renaissance. The main theme of the cycle is the Passion of Christ. In the lower tier, surrounded, on the right — “Washing the feet”, on the left — “The Last Supper”, is the “Prayer for the Bowl” — the main composition of the altar. On average, the scenes of “Crucifixion” and “Laying in the Coffin”. Above them, at the top is “Adoration of the Lamb”, with allegorical figures of Justice, Love, Faith, Patience. The lower tier is made of hewn limestone, the upper and middle - in the technique of stucco.
Created by Jan Pfister, the design of the altar is harmoniously combined with the dome, in the caissons of which are allegories, cartouches, half-figures of prophets and angels. The tiered epitaph of the kneeling family adoration of Our Lady and Christ (after 1617) by Jan Pfister and, probably, his son, deserves special attention — one of the most famous memorial monuments in Lviv. The famous Lviv sculptor also carved an epitaphic oval relief portrait of Sigmund Bresler, the son-in-law of the founder of the genus.
The series of eight paintings — samples of early Lviv bourgeois portraits of the 17th century, commissioned by Mykola Boim and written by Matviy Domaratsky, included two oil portraits of George and Pavel Boim, located above the entrance door, in the interior, and today complement the permanent exposition of the Potocki Palace.
Since 1969, the Boimiv Chapel has been a museum unit of the Lviv National Gallery of Art named after B.G. Voznitsky.