Exhibition: Saint Barbara, pray for us. The patron saint of miners in the portuguese collection of Fernando de Mello Mendes and his successors

The figure of the miners’ patron saint, who for centuries has been a symbol of protection, hope and a safe return from the depths, will be showcased through the collection of Fernando de Mello Mendes and his successors. It will be a fascinating journey across continents and through the centuries. The objects on display come from various corners of the world – from Portugal and other European countries, through Latin America, to the Far East. The collected works, dating from the 17th century to the present day, demonstrate just how strong and diverse the cult of this saint is.

As Dr Kinga Stabrawa-Powęska, the exhibition’s curator, points out, the collected works reflect not only faith and tradition, but also local cultural identity and the symbolism of labour in difficult conditions. Among the exhibits, we will see, among other things, exquisite sculptures, paintings, reliquaries and unique examples of artistic craftsmanship. The collection is complemented by a rich numismatic and philatelic collection: medals, coins, stamps and badges.

The history of this collection is just as fascinating as the items themselves. It was created by a Portuguese mining engineer and scientist, Fernando de Mello Mendes (1925–2021). For over forty years, he passionately collected memorabilia associated with St Barbara, wishing to preserve the mining heritage for future generations. The collection is now looked after by his heirs – Maria Fernanda Leite and Rui Baptista. Thanks to their commitment, part of the collection, which is normally housed in the salt mine in Loulé, Portugal, will be on display in Wieliczka.

We invite you to discover the rich symbolism and extraordinary beauty of art inspired by the patron saint of difficult and dangerous professions.