The exhibition for the Madonna from Osík was designed by Josef Pleskot

Litomyšl (Svitavsko) - Visitors and residents of Litomyšl will have an extraordinary opportunity to view the oldest polychrome sculpture preserved in our territory. The so-called Madonna of Osík was created between 990 and 1180. In the past, it was damaged; it is missing its face. It will be exhibited from June 9 until the end of the year in a specially made case in the crypt of the Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross, Mayor of Litomyšl Radomil Kašpar (KDU-ČSL) said to reporters today.

"I feel this is almost like a coronation jewel that will be here in Litomyšl," Kašpar stated.

The statue, made of linden wood, is 34 centimeters tall. It was discovered for the scientific community in the autumn of 2010; prior to that, it had stood for many years in one of the houses in Osík. It was first exhibited in 2014 and 2015 at the Valdštejn Riding School in Prague.

The figurine of a woman with a child has no face; it was likely cut off during the Hussite turmoil. Architect Josef Pleskot, who designed the exhibition concept, decided to restore the missing face. How he undertook this task will only be revealed to visitors at the exhibition, as the town hall is keeping the final appearance a secret. "When I first saw the Madonna, it didn't mean anything to me because it didn't have a face. Josef Pleskot and I said that it was basically just a piece of wood. However, his studio found a solution to give it substance, and today you can see the Virgin Mary," Kašpar said. The presentation of the oldest wooden Czech sculpture will be complemented by several lectures and discussions in the summer, and a professional conference in the autumn.