"Zgoda" i "Niezgoda" w Księdze gdańskiej korporacji czeladniczej bułkarzy i ciastkarzy z lat 1724-1768

Abstract

The very memorable ‘Book of the Gdansk Journeymen Association of Roll and Cake Bakers’ of 1724-1768 has been retained in the Gdansk Library of PAN (Polish Academy of Science). The book is a multifaceted cultural event, including both literary and pictorial elements. It contains mainly chronicle of events but also articles on social and political issues as well as philosophical considerations and prayers addressed to the reader - member of the association. The literary and the visual aspects of the Book create an astonishing story of the Gdansk ordinary people’s attitude towards both material and spiritual reality - towards values and ideas. They reveal their deep and responsible treatment of their own existence, relying on caring not only about their jobs but also higher values. The main subject of the Book is agreement and disagreement. The commoners’ condition of agreement is to satisfy their demands, one of which is limiting the power of the patriciate. The form of expression was typical for the Baroque trends and symbolism, namely works of poetry and watercolour paintings. Examples of such poetic works and illustrations have been included in the article and the author has underlined the literary skills of the writer and his knowledge of the 18th c. European art, which are the more noticeable as he belonged to a plebeian association.