Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn

Originally, the stained glass windows in the presbytery of the two opposing windows were designed by Stanisław Wyspiański and Józef Mehoffer. The theme of Wyspiański’s composition was “Virtues and Vices” (north window), and Mehoffer’s cycle was “Psalm on God’s Mercy” (south window).

Around 1890/91, following the guidance of Jan Matejko, they created general and detailed designs for both stained glass windows, referencing medieval compositions in the three windows of the presbytery. However, the realization did not take place, possibly due to insufficient funds.

The new benefactor, who appeared a year later, demanded a new iconographic program for the stained glass windows from the parish committee of St. Mary’s Church, with the stipulation that the design be executed by Jan Matejko himself. This was fulfilled. Matejko provided a preliminary sketch, and his student Tadeusz Dmochowski created a detailed design for the new stained glass window for the south window, titled “Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn”. The same artist prepared the design for the stained glass in the south window titled “Our Lady of Częstochowa”.

The first stained glass window was executed in 1894 by the Parisian workshop of Charles Champigneulle.