The colours emerging inside the Church of Peace from the thick layer of patina, dirt and additional paint layers, come from an extremely diverse palette. Colours such as black, ivory black and a whole range of brown tones are visible.
Meanwhile on the pulpit, altar and organ facade, the colour known as ‘English red’ dominates. According to conservationist Ryszard Wójtowicz, the renowned dye is so rarely used that it is difficult to buy today. Ultramarine, white baryte, and pale azures have also been uncovered.
The ongoing research into the green colours reveals that what we see on the walls is a green, earthy colour as well as malachite. Ryszard Wójtowicz is certain that the Church was not originally dominated by these dirty green colours. According to the conservationist, the findings are a result of the poor quality paint layers that were applied during the previous overhauls.
It turned out that the Lamb of God, which is situated above the altar, is gold. (It had seemed to be dark due to the amount of dirt). However, Wójtwicz noted that it had previously been assumed it would be silver or white.
The whole variety of pigments, glues and adhesives, as well as the techniques used in the Church’s decoration centuries ago, are now being examined in the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń and other independent laboratories.
