12 works, Today, October 16th, is Saint Hedwig's day, her story illustrated #287

Unknown artist

Saint Hedwig

St. Hedwig altarpiece from the church of Rusk

Silesian (1st quarter of the 15th century)

Tempera wood

I have no further description, at this time

St. Hedwig was a strong mother and wife, and is honored for the faith that she brought to her husband and the people that they governed.

Unknown artist

Henry I the Bearded marries Hedwig of Andechs. XIV century

Tempera colors, colored washes, and ink on parchment

Court workshop of Duke Ludwig I of Liegnitz and Brieg

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, USA

She was born Bavaria in 1174, and was aunt to St. Elizabeth of Hungary. As a girl, she was placed in a monastery for her education, and when she was 12, she was given to marriage to a duke named Henry (Henry the Bearded). Together, they had seven children.

Unknown artist

Hedwig, Henryk and their children (from left to right): Gertruda, Agnieszka, Zofia, Konrad, Henryk and Bolesław. Hedwig’s Codex

Tempera colors, colored washes, and ink on parchment

Court workshop of Duke Ludwig I of Liegnitz and Brieg

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, USA

Unknown artist

Saint Hedwig and the the Cistercian monastery in Trzebnica

Tempera colors, colored washes, and ink on parchment

 34.1 × 24.8 cm (13 7/16 × 9 3/4 in.)

Court workshop of Duke Ludwig I of Liegnitz and Brieg

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, USA

When her husband succeeded his father, and gained the governance of his region, Hedwig encouraged him to establish a monastery of Cistercian nuns. Together, they founded more monasteries, which helped develop the faith among their people, and also preserved and enhanced their culture. Both Henry and Hedwig founded hospitals, which they took personal interest in.

Unknown artist

Saint Hedwig Leaving Bloody Footprints in the Snow

The Self-Flagellation of Saint Hedwig

Tempera colors, colored washes, and ink on parchment

Court workshop of Duke Ludwig I of Liegnitz and Brieg

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, USA

Unknown artist

Saint Hedwig Kissing the Choirstalls at the Convent Trebnitz

Saint Hedwig Kissing the Steps and the Handtowels at the Convent Trebnitz

Tempera colors, colored washes, and ink on parchment

Court workshop of Duke Ludwig I of Liegnitz and Brieg

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, USA

As their children matured, they gave the couple much trouble. Several bickered bitterly over land rights, even battling one another. Hedwig tried to intervene, but eventually resigned herself and moved to one of the monasteries she had founded. 

Unknown artist, Master of the Wielowieś Triptych

 Altar of St. Hedwig of Silesia (Left and right wing)., circa 1430

Tempera on panel

Height roughly 275 cm (108.27 in)

National Museum, Warsaw

Unknown artist, Master of the Wielowieś Triptych

Scene from the Altar of St. Hedwig of Silesia, circa 1430

Tempera on panel

National Museum, Warsaw

Unknown artist, Master of the Wielowieś Triptych

Scene from the Altar of St. Hedwig of Silesia, circa 1430

Tempera on panel

National Museum, Warsaw

There, she spent her time in the prayer and manual labor of the community, and was known for her austerities that helped her sharpen her will. For example, she would often travel to nearby villages for Mass without wearing shoes, in any kind of weather, and when she was urged by the Bishop of Wrocław to wear shoes, she carried them in her hands.

Unknown artist

The aftermath of the Battle of Legnica. Henry the Pious head is paraded before the walls of the castle. Hedwig’ Codex, 1353

Tempera colors, colored washes, and ink on parchment

Court workshop of Duke Ludwig I of Liegnitz and Brieg

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, USA

She assisted her husband, urging peace at every opportunity. He fought several major battles, and at one point, Hedwig had to ransom him when he was captured. When Henry died, she permanently joined one of her convents that was led by her daughter, and gave away all of her possessions to the poor.

Master of the Křižovnický altar (around 1480)

St. Hedwig of Silesia

National Gallery in Prague

I have no further description, at this time

The Master of the Imhoff Altar (fl. c. 1410-1420) was a German painter. His name comes from an altarpiece, dating to between 1418 and 1422 Only the central panel, depicting the Coronation of the Virgin, and the wings, depicting several apostles, are still preserved in the church, albeit partially disassembled. 

It is believed by some historians that the Master of the Imhoff Altar is also the so-called Master of the Deichsler Altarpiece, whose work is known from two surviving altarpiece wings in Berlin. Attempts have been made to link both artists to Berthold Landauer, but these have been based entirely on his activity in Nuremberg at the time in question. The Deischler paintings are believed to predate the Imhoff Altar by five to ten years, and are the work of an artist deeply familiar with the art of Bohemia from around 1400. The Imhoff Altar, by contrast, represents a marked shift towards a firmer and sparer manner, coupled with the use of stronger colors. More on The Master of the Imhoff Altar

Even when she was alive, St. Hedwig was given the gift of miracles, and she healed a nun who was blind by making the sign of the cross upon her. Several other miraculous cures are attributed to her. She died on this date in 1243, and is patron saint of brides. More on Saint Hedwig

Unknown artist

Saint Hedwig von Andechs, stone cult, Lower Bavaria, c. 1410/1420

Passau, Niedernburg Abbey, Abbey Church

I have no further description, at this time

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