A Last Supper
The collapse of the Soviet empire has permitted westerners freer access to the treasures of art in Eastern Europe. One of these is the high altar in the Church of St. James in Levoča in eastern Slovakia. It was carved by the school of an artist known as Master Paul, about whom not a great deal is known except that he lived in the town at the turn of the sixteenth century. Above is the Last Supper he carved out of wood. It is said that he put the faces of his fellow citizens on the apostles who are pictured very naturalistically. Note the two at the opposite ends of the table, one stuffing his face with bread, the other drinking. The beloved disciple rests his head on the table in front of Jesus. You can find more detail at the site of the Web Gallery of Art http://www.wga.hu/index1.html . (This is a wonderful site, with a fine search engine. My only complaint about the site, which comes from Hungary, is that it gives the name of the town in Hungarian and speaks of him as having been active in “Upper Hungary”! I don’t think Hungary has given up all claims on Slovakia.)
“it gives the name of the town in Hungarian and speaks of him as having been active in “Upper Hungary””
It is a little bit “stupid” remark. Town Levoca(slovak name)/Locse(hun)/Leutsche(german) was part of the Hungarian Kingdom from 1000 till 1918 (when it became part of Czechoslovakia). County Szepes(hun name)/Zips(germ)/Spis(slovak) (where the town is located)had strong german communities (that left the area after the WW2), hungarian nobles in the castles, polish, slovak, rusin villages. It was a multietnical environment before 1945.
What is the correct name of the town and the area in the context of 14th century. Slovakia ? Name “Slovakia” was “invented” somewhen in the 19th century, the first slovak state was established in 1939.
What is the correct name of Konigsberg(german)/Kaliningrad(russian) in the context of german history (e.g. WW2). Or J.W.A. Pretorius established city of Pretoria or city of Thswane (Pretoria was renamed by the post-apartheid government to Thswena) ? Only racists use “Pretoria” ? Brittania or UK was part of the Roman Empire ? Auschwitz (now located in Poland) was a polish or german concentration camp ? Etc, etc, etc. We can not change the history.
Name “Upper Hungary” (Horne Uhorsko in slovak) is not considered offensive by most of the slovaks (at least by slovak historics), if it is used in the correct (historical) context.
Not so stupid remark. I was aware that Slovakia for a millennium was part of the Kingdom of Hungary. I was commenting on the fact that a Hungarian website would today speak of Levoca’s being in “Upper Hungary.” I’m not convinced that it was simply speaking of a past era.
What do you think of the art of Master Paul?
“Not so stupid remark.”
ok, sorry for the word “stupid”.
There is only a small remark: “MASTER PAUL of Lõcse (active 1500-1520 in Upper Hungary)” on the hungarian web site (http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/m/master/paul/1james.html). What do you prefer ? “acive 1500-1520 in Slovak Republic”?
I have found no mention on the hungarian website, that Levoca is being in “Upper Hungary”. Levoca is located on the area of the former “Upper Hungary”. It’s a historical fact, accepted by the most of the slovak historicians. for example: the following slovak websites (financed by the slovak goverment and EU funds) also mention Levoca as a city in “Upper Hungary” (Horne Uhorsko)…
http://www.gothicroute.sk/1_SPISSKO-GEMERSKY/levoca.html
http://www.slovakiatravels.com/sections/Regionscities/Levoca/Levoca_history-sk.php
“What do you think of the art of Master Paul?”
Levoca/Locse/Leutsche is a wonderful city. Art of Master Paul is one of the finest example of the gothic heritage of the former “Upper Hungary” and the Church of St. Jacob is one of the greatest monument of Levoca.
This is how the website identifies Master Paul: “Hungarian sculptor (active 1500-1520 in Upper Hungary).” No one is questioning that when he was active, Master Paul lived in a town in what was then called Upper Hungary. I’m sorry I brought up the question if this is all you want to focus on.
“I’m sorry I brought up the question if this is all you want to focus on.”
Yes, you are right, it was not a good idea to bring up this question in such way (“I don’t think Hungary has given up all claims on Slovakia.”).
Mr. SI, thank you for this very interesting information, and for the many examples you’ve used to illustrate your point. Fr. Komonchak, please do not be sorry to have brought up the question, as it has led to a most educational exchange for your readers.
As for Master Paul’s admirable work, I too am taken by the realism of the faces and the figures (even their feet). Am I correct in assuming that the man across the table from Jesus, with a money bag slung over his back, is Judas? His expression is eloquent (you can see it better in the detail on the website). The thick grape vines and many birds which make up the upper frame are also wonderful. Thank you for sharing this image; we are the richer for having had a chance to see it. I regret that I can’t see it in person without taking a long voyage.