The Church Architecture of the Unity of the Brethren as an Instrument of Aristocratic Representation
Abstract
The paper deals with a specific group of buildings which have not been paid due attention by art historical research. Bohemian Brethren churches have not been sufficiently studied in a broader historical context, and a number of church buildings of the Unity of the Brethren still remain to be analysed.
Although the Unity of the Brethren was one of the illegal denominations, it bulit its own churches from the 1540s to the early 17th century, the establishment of which was very much supported by aristocratic patrons who looked with favour on the Unity and provided it with the necessary facilities for its activities. The text examines how the construction aktivity reflected the intentions and ambitions of the patrons of the Unity of the Brethren who played the key role in building Bohemian Brethren churches.