Discovery of the royal artefacts in Vilnius Cathedral: collection of images

1931 m. Vilniaus arkikatedroje atradus Lietuvos didžiojo kunigaikščio, Lenkijos karaliaus Aleksandro Jogailaičio bei dviejų Žygimanto Augusto žmonų - Elžbietos Habsburgaitės, Barboros Radvilaitės - palaidojimus atsirado išskirtinė proga kalbėti apie Vilnių kaip karalių miestą, išryškinti jo karališkąjį aspektą. Tarpukario periodu Vilniui tapus atokiu Lenkijos provincijos miestu, šis įvykis leido nors iš dalies buvusiai Lietuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštystės sostinei susigrąžinti savo tapatybe, priminti apie buvusią šlovę ir istoriją. Straipsnyje analizuojami tyrinėjimų metu sukurti karališkųjų palaikų atvaizdai ir jų refleksija XX a. pradžios Vilniuje.In April 26, 1931 the rising river Neris had flooded a part of Vilnius and brought wreckage to the city: embankments had been destroyed, buildings damaged, parts of the inhabitants were evacuated, and a cholera outbreak was feared. One of the most famous architectural monuments of the city - Vilnius Cathedral suffered a great deal of damage. After the flood subsided one of the main concerns of the citizens was to save the Cathedral from completely falling down. In July 17, 1931 on the initiative of Vilnius Voivode Zygmunt Beczkowicz and Vilnius Archbishop Romuald Jałbrzykowski a Vilnius Basilica Preservation Committee was established. In the beginning of August systemic geological, archaeological and architectural research commenced, which was used as a basis for strengthening the foundations and walls, and also clearing the cellars and crypts. In the process of renovation two – urns with the heart and internal organs of Vladislav Vasa (1595-1648) were discovered. In the same year, the long searched for artefacts of the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland Alexander Jagiellon (1461-1506) and those belonging to the two wives of Zygmunt August, Elisabeth of Habsburg (1526-1545) and Barbara Radziwiłł (1520-1551) were uncovered. The Basilica Preservation Committee faced a difficult and ethically sensitive problem - how to record and present the discovery to the public and also maintain the respect for the Royal artefacts? How to combine the science and interests of the society and avoid the public display of the artefacts? It was decided that the relics found in the Royal crypt would be captured by the famous Vilnius photographer Jan Bułhak and five distinguished Vilnius artists: Ferdynand Ruszczyć, Liudomir Sleńdziński, Kazimierz Kwiatkowski, Jerzy Hoppen and sculptor Bolesław Balzukiewicz. The Royal crypt wasn't accessible to the public then, thus the artwork depicting the Royal artefacts became very significant. Only through these artistic images did most people succeed in observing and acknowledging the importance of these events as if "seeing it with their own eyes". The images of Royal artefacts were perceived as historical and museum treasures, as research objects and as the symbols of national culture. This event enabled Vilnius, a former capital of Lithuanian Grand Duchy, to retrieve its identity and remind people of its former Royal glory and the history of the region