Thanks for the comment, and I'm glad you found your way to Via Mediaevalis! I agree, calendrical art is a wonderful complement to the traditional office (and the liturgical year in general). And it's surprisingly abundant—we're fortunate that so many illuminated Books of Hours have survived.
What a nice picture! We are beginning the second half of our study of Medieval history and literature at co-op this month and I look forward to your insights about the art and culture of this era.
As you pointed out, it is refreshing to see that medieval culture was in harmony with nature, and the pictures of these prayer books are worth a thousand words. The simple innocence and deep reality that shine from this particular scene is so beautiful and uplifting….
The Puritan hatred of all things material that shape our modern culture is such a dark contrast!
You're welcome, Thérèse! And thank you for this thoughtful comment. I also found this illustration to be particularly lovely and uplifting. Looking at the full page, the calendar and the illustration together, creates a wonderful sense that heaven is full of good and glorious things, but material Creation is too.
This is brilliant! I like how you pointed out the contrast between the vivid colors of the workers and the surrounding earthy tones. It gives their labor a dignity and elegance, whereas the many modern depictions of medieval laborers is more along the lines of mud-caked, lice-ridden peasants. Looking forward to more posts in this series!
Agreed, this illustration really brings out the dignity and artistry of traditional rural labors, which I have seen with my own eyes and performed with my own hands. A depiction like this is much more true to life than the mud-caked versions you referred to. Thanks for commenting.
Hey, great.
I’ve been imagining older calendars since I began reciting the traditional divine office about ten years ago, but this helps it really come to life.
I’ll look forward to seeing these.
Hilary White’s Sacred Art stack directed me here.
Best!
Thanks for the comment, and I'm glad you found your way to Via Mediaevalis! I agree, calendrical art is a wonderful complement to the traditional office (and the liturgical year in general). And it's surprisingly abundant—we're fortunate that so many illuminated Books of Hours have survived.
What a nice picture! We are beginning the second half of our study of Medieval history and literature at co-op this month and I look forward to your insights about the art and culture of this era.
Beautiful, 🙏
Thank you for this article!!
As you pointed out, it is refreshing to see that medieval culture was in harmony with nature, and the pictures of these prayer books are worth a thousand words. The simple innocence and deep reality that shine from this particular scene is so beautiful and uplifting….
The Puritan hatred of all things material that shape our modern culture is such a dark contrast!
You're welcome, Thérèse! And thank you for this thoughtful comment. I also found this illustration to be particularly lovely and uplifting. Looking at the full page, the calendar and the illustration together, creates a wonderful sense that heaven is full of good and glorious things, but material Creation is too.
This is brilliant! I like how you pointed out the contrast between the vivid colors of the workers and the surrounding earthy tones. It gives their labor a dignity and elegance, whereas the many modern depictions of medieval laborers is more along the lines of mud-caked, lice-ridden peasants. Looking forward to more posts in this series!
Agreed, this illustration really brings out the dignity and artistry of traditional rural labors, which I have seen with my own eyes and performed with my own hands. A depiction like this is much more true to life than the mud-caked versions you referred to. Thanks for commenting.
Loved the plastic water bottle comment
This sounds like a great addition to the newsletter. Looking forward to more!
I'm glad to hear it, thank you for commenting!