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Statue of John of Nepomuk

The Statue of John of Nepomuk is a monument in Warsaw. It is located on Senatorska Street, next to the Mniszech Palace, in the Śródmieście district of the city centre. The source text identifies it as a monument, but does not provide details about its date of construction, material, or appearance. Its setting places it in a central part of Warsaw, making it a notable local landmark associated with the area around the Mniszech Palace.

Stone statue of Saint John of Nepomuk holding a crucifix and palm frond, with a halo of stars.
Statue of Saint John of Nepomuk shown with ecclesiastical robes, a crucifix, and a palm frond.
August 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
John of Nepomuk statue holding a crucifix on an ornate pedestal with a star-studded halo behind his head.
Statue of John of Nepomuk on an ornate pedestal, with a modern building in the background.
June 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Weathered stone statue of John of Nepomuk holding a cross, mounted on an ornate pedestal behind a spiked fence.
Statue of John of Nepomuk on Senatorska Street in Warsaw, shown with a halo, cross, and ornate pedestal.
September 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Weathered stone statue of John of Nepomuk on a sculpted pedestal behind a decorative metal fence.
John of Nepomuk stands on an ornate pedestal, enclosed by a decorative black metal fence.
June 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Stone statue of John of Nepomuk on an ornate pedestal behind a black spiked fence.
John of Nepomuk statue on a tall pedestal, seen behind a black spiked fence in an urban setting.
February 2010 © · Public domain

Identification

TitleStatue of Saint John of Nepomuk
TypeMonument

Historical context

Date of creation1733

Creator

ArtistGiovanni Liverotti
PatronJózef Wandalin Mniszech and his wife Konstancja

Discovery and provenance

Commemorative plaqueA lead commemorative plaque was found under the statue and returned to the monument; a second plaque was added beside it with information about the 2004 conservation
Plaque inscriptionIn Latin, it states that Józef Wandalin Mniszech and his wife Konstancja, together with their children, ordered the stone to be placed as an offering to Saint John of Nepomuk for protection of the family in the year 1733
Plaque copiesTwo copies were made; one was transferred to the Warsaw Historical Museum and the other to the Embassy of Belgium in the Mniszech Palace

Physical characteristics

SupportQuadrilateral column

Appearance

Inscriptions and symbolsThe initials JMK and their mirror image, joined by the letter W, together with the family coats of arms of Mniszech and his wife
Decorative reliefsBas-reliefs on the sides showing scenes from the life of Saint John of Nepomuk and the virtues of fortitude, temperance, justice, and prudence

Iconography and meaning

SubjectSaint John of Nepomuk

Location and ownership

LocationSenatorska Street, next to the Mniszech Palace, Śródmieście (City Centre) district, Warsaw
Original siteIn the same place as originally, next to the Mniszech Palace
SettingThe only surviving remnant of the palace garden

History and restoration

Heritage protectionEntered into the register of monuments in 1965
RestorationRestored in 2004
Restoration workThe pedestal, figure, and garden fence wings were dismantled and restored in a conservation workshop; the foundations were strengthened in place; the steps under the pedestal and the stone fence posts were secured
Conservation changesThe saint’s hands were reconstructed after World War II, then their design was changed by the conservator during the 2004 conservation; the crucifix was repaired and gilded

Materials

Plaque materialLead