The Medieval Year, a weekly feature of the Via Mediaevalis newsletter, gives us an opportunity to appreciate calendrical artwork from the Middle Ages, reflect on the basic tasks and rhythms of medieval life, and follow the medieval year as we make our way through the modern year.
I appreciate the validation because I hesitated on that one; "gustatory" and "psyche" are fancy words for something as simple as fresh fruit, but I couldn't think of another way to say it. And just for the record, the phrase "wicked good" is also wicked good—or at least wicked paradoxical, which I think is similar to wicked good ... but not as paradoxical (?).
Lovely thanks, but I would like to apologise for the fact that, entirely independently, I chose the very same picture for my extractor from the Lay Folks Mass Book on Sunday! What a marvellous set of illustrations it is. I have also discovered a company that makes them into jigsaws, which is very tempting...
Northern Romania, but mentioning the country is a bit misleading because it was very close to the Ukrainian border and in an area with strong Hungarian influence. I haven't studied the area's history enough to adequately understand how exactly that mixture of national/ethnic/religious cultures was expressed in the village culture that I experienced.
Definitely pros and cons. That's a big part of why the trade-places question is, I think, so important to ask—there really can be no answer, and in searching for one we might see wonders never noticed yet right in front of our eyes.
Thanks for the comment, Richard. Deep, vibrant blue is the thematic color of the calendar pages in the Très Riches Heures, and the effect is marvelous.
This was a delightful passage! Relatable and humorous and appealing!
So glad you enjoyed it, Gini!
Want it to be known that the phrase “gustatory psyche” is wicked good.
I appreciate the validation because I hesitated on that one; "gustatory" and "psyche" are fancy words for something as simple as fresh fruit, but I couldn't think of another way to say it. And just for the record, the phrase "wicked good" is also wicked good—or at least wicked paradoxical, which I think is similar to wicked good ... but not as paradoxical (?).
I love your comments pointing out details; I didn’t even see the ‘wardrobe malfunction’
Thanks, Robert, for a fascinating article and a beautiful image.
You're welcome Jack, thanks for commenting.
Lovely thanks, but I would like to apologise for the fact that, entirely independently, I chose the very same picture for my extractor from the Lay Folks Mass Book on Sunday! What a marvellous set of illustrations it is. I have also discovered a company that makes them into jigsaws, which is very tempting...
No need to apologize, these paintings belong to us all and should be more widely known and appreciated!
Love the wardrobe malfunction - ha! Even more, LOVED the horses decked out with the summer flowers - wow. Just gorgeous. Thanks so much for this post!
You're welcome, Shannon! The horses were part of a wedding celebration—absolutely unforgettable.
No kidding - just gorgeous. Can you share what country this was?
Northern Romania, but mentioning the country is a bit misleading because it was very close to the Ukrainian border and in an area with strong Hungarian influence. I haven't studied the area's history enough to adequately understand how exactly that mixture of national/ethnic/religious cultures was expressed in the village culture that I experienced.
Thank you, that is helpfu. It's a wonderful tradition.
Lovely and thought-provoking. Would we trade places in time? Pros and cons, aren't there?
Definitely pros and cons. That's a big part of why the trade-places question is, I think, so important to ask—there really can be no answer, and in searching for one we might see wonders never noticed yet right in front of our eyes.
You have a good mind, Robert.
I learned a lot from my father.
Beautiful images, as always. Such vibrancy in the colors. I love the blues.
Thanks for the comment, Richard. Deep, vibrant blue is the thematic color of the calendar pages in the Très Riches Heures, and the effect is marvelous.