En medeltida bildvärld

de Marian Ullén

The medieval church in Dädesjö in Småland is one of Sweden's foremost cultural monuments, also famous outside the country's borders for the well-preserved wooden roof and its unique paintings from the end of the 13th century. That the church survived is in itself a miracle. After a long thorn rose sleep as a magazine, it was rediscovered in 1905. The following year, it was redeemed with the help of state funds and placed under the King. The Knowledge Academy's care. One hundred years later, the State Real Estate Agency took over responsibility for the church, which is now a state building monument. Art historian Marian Ullén presents here the church's fascinating picture treasure and follows the origins of the paintings back to the princely commissioners and painter, Master Sigmund, who signed his work with runes. The world of images gives us an insight into the notions of the time about the ongoing struggle between the evil and good powers over the human soul and about the reverence for the Virgin Mary and the saints. But Master Sigmund's pictures also give a unique insight into several of the popular legends and customs of the time, where not least the depiction of the legend Staffan Stalledräng made the ceiling paintings famous