Abstrakt
Little attention in the past has been devoted to the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Horní Jiřetín in professional literature. The church, the same as the later works of Jean Baptiste Mathey, was thought to be evidence of a decline in the architect's creative energies.
However, a detailed investigation shows the building in a new light. Although Mathey's work is a feat of lesser signifi cance based on domestic traditions, the church presents itself as a structure that is well composed as a whole and with respect to specifi c details.
The characteristic traits include a monumental block façade with an axial tower, which as one of the fi rst in Bohemia, was exemplary for this later, more common style. In addition, it is characterized by a light centralized nave with a short transept and an unusually prolonged polygonal presbytery.
The architect strongly refl ected this basic disposition in the interior as well. With the help of segmentation, low vaulting, and pronounced lighting, he created the eff ect of an airy and spacious hall.
For some of these elements, examples may be found in Rome or France. An analysis of the rear of the church and its structure revealed latent Gothicism, which points to the remarkable quality of Mathey's work with various forms of inspiration.
Hence, the church can be considered a structure of high quality that further demonstrates the personality of this important architect and validates the sophisticated level of his later works.