The spiritual environment and artistic patronage in South Bohemia in the 14th century

Authors
Zlata Gersdorfova
Pages
197–215
Abstract

The contribution deals with the both spiritually and materially rich environment of the dominion of the Rožmberk Lords, the most powerful noble dynasty in Bohemia. Thanks to their contacts and position in the Czech Kingdom, South Bohemia along with its monasteries (Cistercian monasteries in Vyšší Brod and in Zlatá Koruna, the Augustinian canonical monastery in Třeboň, and the monastery of Conventual Franciscans and Poor Clares in Český Krumlov) are associated with magnificent pieces of medieval Bohemian art that count among the top representatives of Gothic art in Bohemia and in Europe in general (the Madonna of Český Krumlov, works of the Master of Vyšší Brod, works of the Master of the Třeboň altarpiece, e.g.). This contribution attempts to outline both the spiritual and the cultural background of these works' origin, mirroring the piety that reflected the respect for relics. In this context, it is important to point out the relics of the Corpus Christi Feast, which was, in the manner of Prague festivities, held annually in the residential town of the Rožmberk dynasty, the city of Český Krumlov, and interconnected both functionally and spiritually the individual monasteries of South Bohemia.

Keywords
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