Jacek Stryjeński, Mosaics in the apse of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, 1950-1955, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Source: Instytut Polonika
Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva
Jacek Stryjeński, mozaiki, 1949-1955, Genewa, kościół Saint-François de Sales, photo 2014
License: CC BY-SA 4.0, Source: Instytut Polonika, License terms and conditions
Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva
Jacek Stryjeński, Mosaics in the apse of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, 1950-1955, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Source: Instytut Polonika
Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva
Jacek Stryjeński, mozaiki, 1949-1955, Genewa, kościół Saint-François de Sales, photo 2014
License: CC BY-SA 4.0, Source: Instytut Polonika, License terms and conditions
Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva
Jacek Stryjeński, Mosaics in the apse of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, 1950-1955, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva
Jacek Stryjeński, mozaiki, 1949-1955, Genewa, kościół Saint-François de Sales, photo 2014
License: CC BY-SA 4.0, Source: Instytut Polonika, License terms and conditions
Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva
Jacek Stryjeński, Mosaics in the apse of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, 1950-1955, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Source: Instytut Polonika
Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva
Jacek Stryjeński, Mosaics in the apse of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, 1950-1955, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva
Interior of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Source: Instytut Polonika
Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva
Church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Source: Instytut Polonika
Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva
Jacek Stryjeński (design), St Francis de Sales on the western façade of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, 1949, mosaic, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Source: Instytut Polonika
Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva
Jacek Stryjeński (design), St. Paul on the west façade of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, 1949, mosaic, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Source: Instytut Polonika
Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva
Jacek Stryjeński (design), St. Paul on the western façade of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva (fragment), 1949, mosaic, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Source: Instytut Polonika
Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva
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ID: POL-001349-P/135010

Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva

ID: POL-001349-P/135010

Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva

Variants of the name:

Mosaique de l’église Saint-François de Sales à Genève, Mozaiki św. Franciszka Salezego w Genewie

The large modernist church, reminiscent of early Christian basilicas, was built in the early 20th century. It was rebuilt in 1930, adding, among other things, a tall bell tower. It houses the Catholic parish of the Chêne-Bourg district, a residential suburb of Geneva. The church's facades are devoid of decoration and disjointedness. The only elements that break up the austerity of the walls are two small mosaics by Jacek Stryjeński, flanking the porch on the western façade. They were one of his first own works in Geneva (1949), executed in parallel with the wall painting of the church at Challes-les-Eaux in Savoy. The field to the right of the porch is filled with the tightly standing figure of the patron saint, St Francis de Sales, to the left: the figure of St Paul (below which a ribbon with the signature 'Stryjenski px / Antonietti M.' - René Antonietti was a well-known Genevan mosaic artist). A surviving sketch reveals a design for an unrealised continuation of the façade decoration: a scene of the Mourning in the tympanum and figures of angels in the side sections.

The austere expression of the basilica's interior architecture is diversified by only a few elements of the furnishings (the altar mensa, the pulpit replaced after 1950) and the large mosaics by Stryjeński centred over the apse. This, his greatest work of religious art, was created between 1950 and 1955, already without Antonietti's help. While one can find local stylistic references in the façade mosaics, especially to the Geneva mosaics of Alexandre Cingria (a leading decorator of the inter-war period, under whom the Polish artist studied in Geneva in 1943), the style of the apse decoration is definitely more archaic. Stryjeński referred here to Byzantine patterns, in keeping with the spirit of the church's architecture. The closest inspirations, e.g. with regard to the ornamental motifs used on the chancel vault, are the mosaics of the San Vitale church in Ravenna. The artist may have personally studied them while he was still serving in the army of General Władysław Anders, as well as during a tour of Italy in 1946, but this is not confirmed. On the iconographic level, too, there is a consciously realised traditionalism here: the symmetrically composed hieratic scene in the apse depicts, against a golden background, Christ throning surrounded by Mary and Saints John the Evangelist and Peter. To the right, the church's patron saint, St Francis de Sales, shown here as a bishop (a position he assumed in Geneva in 1602), pays homage to the Saviour. The figural programme is completed by the mosaics on the rainbow arch, with two archangels symmetrically placed on either side of the nave. On the right, the archangel supports a model of the local church. Below him is the signature 'JS'. Unlike the figures in the apse, the formally developed, geometrised figures of the archangels may bring to mind the pre-war works of Jacek's mother, Zofia Stryjeńska. The son of eminent Polish artists (his father was the architect Karol Stryjeński), he settled in Geneva, where his mother had already lived (the family's ties with this city, however, began in 1837, when the engineer and cartographer Aleksander Stryjeński arrived there). The solemn funeral of the prematurely deceased Jacek Stryjeński took place in this very church, and the funeral eulogy referred to the significance of the mosaic programme. The Geneva realisation is one of the most interesting examples of church mosaics in the post-war years in Switzerland; there is no parallel in Polish art of the time.

Related persons:

Time of construction:

1949-1955

Creator:

Jacek Stryjeński (malarz; Polska, Szwajcaria)(preview)

Bibliography:

  • Jan Zieliński, „Nasza Szwajcaria”, Warszawa 1999, s. 90

Keywords:

Publication:

26.08.2023

Last updated:

20.01.2025

Author:

prof. Andrzej Pieńkos
see more Text translated automatically
Mosaic in the apse of Saint-François de Sales Church in Geneva, depicting Christ enthroned with Mary, John the Evangelist, and Peter. Flanking angels on the arch hold church models. Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva Gallery of the object +12
Jacek Stryjeński, Mosaics in the apse of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, 1950-1955, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Mosaic in the apse of Saint-François de Sales Church in Geneva, depicting Christ enthroned with Mary, John the Evangelist, and Peter. Two archangels flank the scene, with geometric patterns above. Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva Gallery of the object +12
Jacek Stryjeński, mozaiki, 1949-1955, Genewa, kościół Saint-François de Sales, photo 2014
Mosaic in the apse of Saint-François de Sales Church in Geneva, depicting Christ enthroned with Mary, John the Evangelist, Peter, and Saint Francis de Sales. Byzantine-inspired design with gold background. Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva Gallery of the object +12
Jacek Stryjeński, Mosaics in the apse of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, 1950-1955, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Mosaic in the apse of Saint-François de Sales Church in Geneva, depicting Christ enthroned with Mary, Saint John the Evangelist, Saint Peter, and Saint Francis de Sales on a golden background. Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva Gallery of the object +12
Jacek Stryjeński, mozaiki, 1949-1955, Genewa, kościół Saint-François de Sales, photo 2014
Mosaic in the apse of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva depicting Christ enthroned with Mary, Saint John the Evangelist, Saint Peter, and Saint Francis de Sales. The figures are set against a golden background. Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva Gallery of the object +12
Jacek Stryjeński, Mosaics in the apse of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, 1950-1955, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Mosaic in the apse of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, depicting two angels with geometric patterns and a central sun motif. The design reflects Byzantine influences. Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva Gallery of the object +12
Jacek Stryjeński, mozaiki, 1949-1955, Genewa, kościół Saint-François de Sales, photo 2014
Mosaic in Saint-François de Sales, Geneva, depicting an angel with colorful wings holding a model of the church. The background features geometric patterns and a golden halo. Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva Gallery of the object +12
Jacek Stryjeński, Mosaics in the apse of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, 1950-1955, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Mosaic in Saint-François de Sales Church in Geneva, depicting an angel with a halo and wings, holding a staff. The background features vibrant colors and geometric patterns. Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva Gallery of the object +12
Jacek Stryjeński, Mosaics in the apse of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, 1950-1955, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Interior of Saint-François de Sales Church in Geneva, showing wooden pews, white columns, and a large mosaic by Jacek Stryjeński above the apse depicting Christ enthroned with Mary and saints. Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva Gallery of the object +12
Interior of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Facade of Saint-François de Sales Church in Geneva, featuring two small mosaics by Jacek Stryjeński flanking the entrance. The building has a modernist design with a simple, undecorated exterior. Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva Gallery of the object +12
Church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Mosaic of Saint Francis de Sales on the facade of Saint-François de Sales Church in Geneva. The artwork, created by Jacek Stryjeński, depicts the saint in bishop attire with a halo. Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva Gallery of the object +12
Jacek Stryjeński (design), St Francis de Sales on the western façade of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, 1949, mosaic, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Mosaic of Saint Francis de Sales on the facade of Saint-François de Sales Church in Geneva. The figure is depicted with a halo, holding a cross and a staff, set against a blue background. Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva Gallery of the object +12
Jacek Stryjeński (design), St. Paul on the west façade of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva, 1949, mosaic, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved
Close-up of a mosaic with vibrant blue, green, and red tiles, featuring the inscription 'STRYJENSKI PX' and 'ANTONIETTI M.' in gold letters. Photo showing Mosaics of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva Gallery of the object +12
Jacek Stryjeński (design), St. Paul on the western façade of the church of Saint-François de Sales in Geneva (fragment), 1949, mosaic, photo Norbert Piwowarczyk, 2024, all rights reserved

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