The Many Traces of the Confraternity of St Michael in Mengeš in the Commissions of Franc Jelovšek’s Frescoes

Abstract

The paper, based on the material of the priestly confraternity of St Michael in Mengeš (especially on the list of its members), published in Zgodovinski zbornik [Historical Journal], supplement of Laibacher Dioecesanblatt, between 1892 and 1895, and on other primary sources or studies based on them, uncovers the connections between the members of the confraternity and its supporters with the works of the Mengeš born painter Franc Jelovšek (1700–1764). Moreover, it also emphasizes as a starting point the fact that at the time of Jelovšek’s formation, in 1722 to be precise, his father, Andrej Jelovšek, organist and sexton of Mengeš (spiritually) joined the confraternity. The data gathered reveal the names as well as family and other ties of the priestly members and secular supporters of the fraternity, who influenced the creation of a large part of Jelovšek’s Baroque creations, either as patrons or as (co) recommenders. Some of these creations have not been preserved and are known only indirectly.