Saint Bartholomew the Apostle

The saint stands in a slight contrapposto (on his left leg), facing the viewer.

His face, that of a mature man with a mustache and long beard, has a gentle expression. It is elongated with slightly hollow cheeks, wide-set eyes under prominent brow ridges, and a large, narrow nose. His hair is smooth and close to the head above a high forehead, forming broad curls on the sides.

His inner garment with a collar, revealing bare feet, is girded with a sash tied in a knot. Draped over his shoulders is a long cloak wrapped around his right arm, bent at the elbow (without a hand). With his left hand, he presses it against his thigh.

Baroque Stalls

The Baroque oak stalls from 1662–1665, created by Bavarian artists Franz Motsch and Josef Zeller, originate from St. Vincent’s Church in Wrocław, belonging to the Norbertine monastery. Their backs are adorned with bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Saint Norbert of Xanten (1082–1134), the founder of the order in Prémontré near Laon, France.

The cycle of these depictions begins on the southeast side and features the coat of arms of Abbot Matthäus Paul, who brought the mentioned artists to Wrocław. Between the reliefs are figures of Apostles, Evangelists, and Church Fathers, topped with sculptures of angels with the instruments of the Passion of Christ.