Saint Joseph Flees to Egypt

The polychrome depicts the Flight of the Holy Family to Egypt. However, in the background of the painting, there are no plants that grow in the Holy Land but familiar pines, beeches, and spruces. This is because Willmann, when painting all the landscapes in the church, was inspired by the flora of the Sudetes.

Joseph leads the donkey on which Mary and Jesus are traveling. On the left side, a statue of a pagan god is visible. According to the apocrypha, when the Holy Family fled to Egypt, all the statues of pagan gods would fall down at the sight of the true God. Saint Joseph is depicted in a Flemish costume, very fashionable at the end of the 17th century. The outfit of the holy carpenter also refers to Willmann’s youth, when he gained experience during his travels in this country.

Michael Willmann, known as the “Silesian Rembrandt,” created over 50 wall polychromies within three years, adorning the interior of the fraternity church.

The abundance of these depictions in one place makes the Krzeszów church the largest collection of frescoes in Northern Europe, and the seat of the Brotherhood of Saint Joseph is popularly called the “Silesian Sistine Chapel.”