Botanical Analysis of the Baroque Art on the Eastern Adriatic Coast, South Croatia

Abstract

The analysis of plants featured in Baroque artworks on the eastern Adriatic coast has not previously been the subject of an in-depth study. The study of plant iconography in Baroque sacred artworks, which are mostly paintings, was carried out in eight churches and monasteries on the Pelješac peninsula in southern Croatia. Taxonomic interpretation of the painted flora on 15 artworks led to the identification of 23 different plant taxa (species or genera) belonging to 17 families. One additional plant was identified only by family taxonomic rank. The number of plants was relatively high, and most species were considered non-native (71%, "exotic" flora) phanerophytes. In terms of geographic origin, the Palaearctic region (Eurasia) and the American continent were identified as the main areas of plant origin. Lilium candidum, Acanthus mollis, and Chrysanthemum cf. morifolium, were the most common species. We think that the plants were selected for decorative and aesthetic reasons, as well as for their symbolic significance.

Keywords: Baroque; NE Mediterranean; Pelješac peninsula; art; floral elements; sacral heritage.

Figure 2

(A)—St. Anne and Our Lady with Jesus Christ and Our Father in Chapel of St. Anne in Kućište; (B,C)—details from lower left and right parts of paintings; (D)—The Escape to Egypt, and (E)—Health-related Votive Tablet in Church of Christian’s helpers in Orebić; (F)—The Virgin with Child, St. Blasius, and St. Nicholas in parish church of St. Blasius in Janjina.

Figure 3

The altars of St. Francis of Assisi (A) with details on Passiflora caerulea L. (B,C); St. Anthony of Padua (D) and details on Lilium candidum L. (E) in Franciscan Monastery and Church of the Great Lady in Podgorje.

Figure 4

(A,C,D,F)—The altars of St. Anthony of Padua; (B)—The Archangel Gabriel, (E)—St. Joseph in Podgorje.

Figure 5

(A)—Antependium in Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Trpanj; (B,C)—Antependia in Church of St. Martin in Žuljana; (D)—Polyptych Birth and Death with the Seven Holy Sacraments on wooden fence by choir in Church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Putniković; (E,F)—Details of first and final parts of polyptych.

Figure 1

Map of Pelješac peninsula and its location on southeastern Adriatic coast (SE Europe). Numbers indicate location of churches and monasteries where artworks were examined: 1—St. Anne Chapel, Žukovac, near village of Kućište; 2—Franciscan Monastery and Church of the Great Lady, Podgorje; 3—Church of Our Lady of Carmel, village of Carmel, Podgorje; 4—Church of Christian’s helpers, Orebić; 5—St. Anthony of Padua Church, Trpanj; 6—St. Blasius Church, Janjina; 7—St. Martin Church, Žuljana; 8—Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Tomislavovac, near village of Putniković (for a detailed description see Section 2.2). Abbreviations: IT—Italia, SL—Slovenia, HR—Croatia, BiH—Bosnia and Herzegovina, MN—Montenegro, RS—Serbia, RKS—Kosovo, AL—Albania, NMK—North Macedonia. The circle on the map in the lower left corner indicates the research area in the SE European context.