Liturgical Designer Rolf Rohn and his team have been diligently working on fulfilling a comprehensive restoration plan for the historic Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral. Their efforts align the pastor's vision with liturgical guidelines while navigating the stringent codes and regulations of the New York City Building Department and the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
As part of this initiative, they introduced a new set of Byzantine-style murals: Archangel Michael above the chapel entrance and Angel Gabriel above the baptistery—along with a painting on the back wall of the Tabernacle. These sacred images play significant roles in Christian theology, symbolizing divine protection and guidance for worshippers and visitors alike.
Collaborating closely with Rolf, Graphic Designer Maria Hubbard developed and presented the initial concept in July 2016. The Basilica used her illustrated interior color rendering, featuring the mural designs, as a fundraising tool to help parishioners envision the finished artwork. It was also included in the Archbishop's Appeal for the Archdiocese of New York, the annual campaign that funds vital diocesan initiatives.
Artists Victoria Christina and Renate Rohn translated the visions into beautiful oil paintings in our Pittsburgh studio, meticulously exacting all details. They added strategic accents, shadows, and realistic skin tones to bring the figures to life, making them stand out against the dark wood of the Basilica. In Byzantine tradition, the artists also applied gold leaf to the garments. The subdued tones of the side murals complement the star-adorned painting by Victoria that highlights the Tabernacle.
We installed these sacred additions to the Basilica’s patrimony on October 30th. Read more about the ongoing work, including the interior color scheme, updated lighting and flooring, new and refinished liturgical furnishings, and preliminary plans to introduce columbaria in the catacombs as a future source of revenue for the Basilica.
Comments
Post a Comment