06 works, Today, September 18th, is Saint Ludmila's day, her story illustrated #260

Gabriel von Max, (1840–1915)

The Martyrdom of St. Ludmilla, c. 1864

Oil on canvas

90.4 x 100.1 cm

Memorial Art Gallery,  Rochester, New York

Gabriel Cornelius Ritter von Max (ennobled in 1900; 23 August 1840 – 24 November 1915) was a Prague-born Austrian painter, the son of the sculptor Josef Max and Anna Schumann. He studied at the Prague Academy of Arts. His studies included parapsychology, Darwinism, Asiatic philosophy, the ideas of Schopenhauer, and various mystical traditions. He continued his studies at the Viennese Academy of Art. From 1863 to 1867 he studied at the Munich Academy. His first critical success was in 1867 with the painting "Martyr at the Cross": that painting transformed the "Unglücksmalerei" (dark palette) of Piloty into a religious-mystical symbolism using a psychological rendering of its subject.

He continued to use the dark palette of the Piloty school well into the 1870s, later moving toward a more muted palette, using fewer, clearer colors. From 1869, Gabriel von Max had his studio in Munich. From 1879-1883, Gabriel Max was a professor of Historical Painting at the Munich Academy; he also became a Fellow of The Theosophical Society. In 1900 he was ennobled and became a Ritter. He died in Munich in 1915. More Gabriel von Max

Saint Ludmila (c. 860 – 15 September 921) is a Czech saint and martyr venerated by the Orthodox and the Roman Catholics. She was the daughter of the Sorbian prince Slavibor. Saint Ludmila was the grandmother of Saint Wenceslaus, who is widely referred to as Good King Wenceslaus. 

Unknown artist

Ludmila and Bořivoj I  receiving the sacrament by Methodius

I have no further description, at this time

Ludmila was married to Bořivoj I of Bohemia, the first Christian Duke of Bohemia, in 873. At that time, both she and the young prince were pagans, but soon they met the great enlightener - Methodius. Apparently, this creator of Slavic writing, translator of Greek, Aramaic, Latin and other languages ​​made a great impression on the princely couple, and in 882 they received the sacrament of baptism in his presence.

heir efforts to convert Bohemia to Christianity were initially not well received, and they were driven from their country for a time by the pagans. Eventually the couple returned, and ruled for several years before retiring to Tetín, near Beroun.

Karel Škréta, (1610–1674)

Birth of St. Wenceslaus, c. 1640

Oil on canvas

National Gallery in Prague

Karel Škréta Šotnovský ze Závořic (1610-1674) was a Czech portrait painter who worked in the Baroque style.

His father died when he was only three, and he was commended to the care of the local schools, where he received a thorough classical education. It is uncertain where he learned painting, although he probably studied at the Royal Court.

During this time, the Thirty Years' War had begun and Prague was taken by Catholic forces. Protestants were tolerated at first, but a major conversion effort was initiated in 1627 and, the following year, he fled with his mother to Saxony. He eventually made his way to Italy, spent a few years in Venice, then went to Rome in 1634. 

By this time, he had already established himself as a portrait painter. After about a year he went back to Saxony and finally returned to Prague in 1638, where he converted to Catholicism and sued to regain his property; as he had begun to accept commissions. He opened a studio in 1645 and joined the artists' guild, serving as its chairman from 1651 to 1661.

In addition to his portraits, he painted altarpieces and other decorations at several churches. More on Karel Škréta

The couple was succeeded by their son Spytihněv. Spytihněv was succeeded by his brother Vratislav. When Vratislav died in 921, his son Wenceslas became the next ruler of Bohemia. 

Josef Mathauser

Princess Drahomíra, Prince Václav and Ludmila

Oil on canvas

33.3 x 21.5 cm | 13.1 x 8.5 inches

I have no further description, at this time

Josef Mathauser (24 July 1846 in Staňkov – 10 January 1917 in Prague) was a Czech Romantic painter. He is known for his religious paintings, and for his series of "History of the Czech Nation in Pictures".

Among his religious works are the Stations of the Cross in the Assumption of Mary church in Mariánské Lázně (1886/7) and an altar in the church of St. Peter and Paul, and the restoration of religious scenes at Svatá Hora Monastery near Příbram (1895). More on Josef Mathauser

It had been mainly Ludmila who raised her grandson and she now acted as regent for him.

Unknown artist

Drahomíra gives Tunn and Gomon horses and silver to kill St. Ludmila, 14th century

Chronicle of Dalimilova

I have no further description, at this time

Unknown artist

Murder of Saint Ludmila, Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia is depicted as child

Chronicle of so called Dalimil

I have no further description, at this time

Wenceslaus' mother Drahomíra became jealous of Ludmila's influence over Wenceslaus. She had two noblemen Tunna and Gommon murder Ludmila at Tetín, and part of Ludmila's story says that she was strangled with her veil. Initially, Saint Ludmila was buried at St. Michael's at Tetín.

Saint Ludmila was canonized shortly after her death. As part of the process of canonization, in 925, Wenceslaus moved her remains to the St. George's Basilica, Prague. More on Saint Ludmila

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