Saturday, December 21, 2013

Nativity – Prague


Two Christmases ago, I shared with you one of my favourite representations of the Nativity. That year I had been fortunate enough to visit Assisi with DD and had also made my second visit to Prague as locum chaplain to the English-speaking chaplaincy there. While there I spent a wonderful day revelling in the superb collection of mediaeval art in Saint Agnes Convent and especially enjoyed the homely detail in this painting of the Nativity by an anonymous 14th century Bohemian artist.

It comes with my thanks to you all for your friendship and the pleasure your blogs have given me this year and my warmest wishes for a joyous and peaceful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.


Image: Nativity scene from the Vyššì Brod altarpiece by the Master of Vyšší Brod (Meister von Hohenfurth) circa 1350

46 comments:

  1. and a Merry Christmas to you Perpetua and a happy and healthy 2014. I have really enjoyed reading your posts. Thank you.

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    1. Thanks, Susan. I'm glad we found each other's blogs.

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  2. A happy Christmas season Perpetua and DH too.
    Love the Nativity scene you have chosen, beautiful rich colouring, and so much detail in it for me to explore.
    I always enjoy your posts which reveal your sense of humour, and I know you to be a blogger who is always ready to give your time and a helping hand to those who need blogspot assistance from time to time.
    Your friendship is greatly appreciated, and I look forward to it continuing in 2014.

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    1. I thought the image would be just what you'd enjoy, Rosemary. :-)

      Having spent so much time and effort wrestling with Blogger at times, it would be churlish not to share my hard-won knowledge, so I do it with pleasure.

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  3. Hari OM
    what a delightful scene!! I adore this style of painting.

    Wishing you and yours a joyous, peaceful and fulfilling time over the festive season; travel safely and looking forward to sharing the New Year with you (albeit 'etherically'!!)

    Warmest regards and hugs, YAM xx

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    1. Thanks, Yam. It really is a gorgeous image, isn't it? I look forward to hearing about your new home in 2014. :-)

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    1. Thanks, Molly. i do hope you don't get blown or washed away.

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  5. I wish you and your family a peaceful and joyous Christmas.
    May hearts and hearths stay warm and welcoming.

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    1. No-one could ask for more than that, Friko.

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  6. Blessings to you and family at this special Christmas time.

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    1. Thanks, Bonnie. I hope you stay safe and warm at this season.

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  7. Merry Christmas Perpetua, to you and your family and thank you for once again sharing some beautiful art and music. Thank you for the link to St Agnes Convent, which I have just explored. They do indeed have some wonderful mediaeval pieces and I'd love to go there one day! The Nativity is very striking and clever, and reminds me of Giotto. Beautiful! Loved the carol; we sing a lot of David Willcocks arrangements which are most enjoyable. Thank you for your friendship and your entertaining blogs Perpetua - it is a happy morn when your blog pops up on the list!

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    1. Thanks, Patricia. I love the fact that we have this link halfway round the world. :-) The art collection at Saint Agnes Convent is truly wonderful and i spent many happy hours there. You're right about the similarity to Giotto and I love the telling details.

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  8. A lovely illustraton which will send me on the search for more from the St. Agnes convent - perhaps I will discover who the ermine clad donor might be.
    You are the pearl of bloggers...and I look forward to reading more from you in the year ahead..

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    1. Aha, a little puzzle to keep you entertained over Christmas,. Helen. :-) The whole altarpiece is worth studying if you can find links to the separate paintings. Here's to lots more happy blogging in 2014.

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  9. Merry Christmas Perpetua! I hope you have a wonderful time with your family and friends this holiday season. I'm so glad I discovered your blog this past year. I always enjoy your posts!

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    1. I can say the same, Kristie. I've enjoyed coming along with you on your travels and walks. I do hope that washer arrives in time for Christmas. :-)

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  10. What a lovely nativity scene. Paired with the beautiful chorale offering from King's College Choir you have set the tone for a very peaceful entrance into Christmas. Thank you, Perpetua. I do hope that you and DH and your family experience a wonderful Christmas, and that for your new year, you, too, enjoy renewed health and vitality following the "bumps" you and DH have experienced this last several months. You have been such a welcome voice, offering your friendship to those of us who stop by to visit. Thank you! ox

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed them, Debra. Yes, it's been a rocky year at times, but with much enjoyment along the way as well. Here's to another year of blogging friendship and discovery.

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  11. Beautiful. And I've been listening to my special CD of carols from King's College this morning, so I'm with you completely on your choice here.
    Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and much love,
    Axxx

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    1. It's my pleasure, Annie. Wishing you and your family a truly memorable first Christmas in your beautiful Spanish home.

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  12. What a beautiful painting – the colors are so warm. I love choirs and the boys voices in the video you have chosen sound so pure and lovely. Have a great Christmas with your family.

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    1. Thanks, Vagabonde. I had great fun searching for the right image and music and am glad they worked for you.

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  13. Merry Christmas Perpetua! I enjoyed listening to your choir video last night before bed. It was very soothing... and beautiful.

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    1. It's a carol I really love, Rian, so I'm glad it gave you such pleasure.

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  14. And blessings to you, too, Perpetua and to your dear family this holiday season!

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    1. Thanks, Kathy. I know we'll have a lovely time as we always do. :-)

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  15. Wishing you & DH, a Happy & Blessed Christmas from Prague, Perpetua :-) Your two locum visits in 2010 & 2011 are still remembered with great affection by longer standing members of the St. Clement's congregation.

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    1. Thanks, Ricky. The affection is entirely mutual as I have so many vivid and happy memories of my two wonderful visits. :-)

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  16. Merry Christmas P - looking forward to your 2014 postings.

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    1. Thanks, BtoB. Here's to happy blogging in 2014.

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  17. This is a gift across the miles that it so appreciated, Perpetual. Thank you for this nativity and the chorale; perfect pairings of peace at the time draws near for Christmas.

    My best wishes for a happy holiday and a healthy New Year.

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    1. Thanks, Penny. You're very welcome. After so much stress with Tom's surgery, you both deserve peace this Christmas. :-)

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  18. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Perpetua. I'm very glad to have connected with you through our blogs, I find your blog to be very interesting and I've learned a lot from you in just the short time we've known each other. Take care and enjoy your holiday.

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    1. Thanks, Jennifer. I've enjoyed finding your blog too and look forward to your lovely posts with pleasure. Havie a wonderful time with your family this Christmas.

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  19. Love the nativity Scene Perpetua. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy 2014. It's been a pleasure meeting you through blogland and long may it continue. God bless.
    Patricia x

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    1. Thanks, Patricia. It's one of my favourites and i enjoyed making it better known. Here's to lots of happy blogging and commenting in 2014.

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  20. Super super illumination! Have a lovely Christmas with your family.
    PS thanks for the e-card. Recognised Salisbury straight away :-)

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    1. Isn't it wonderful? I love the careful preparation of the baby's bath, with the midwife apparently testing the temperature of the water.:-)

      Glad you enjoyed the card.

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  21. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Perpetua. Maybe we might manage to meet up in real life in 2014!

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    1. Thanks, DB, and I'm sure you and your family had a lovely Christmas. All good wishes for the New year, and yes, meeting up would be great if it can be arranged. :-)

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  22. Beautiful. I hope your Christmas was wonderful.

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    1. Thanks, Sally. We had a lovely, peaceful time, as I hope you did.

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  23. Finally I'm catching up with everyone. I do hope you had the best Christmas and that 2014 brings you and yours much peace and joy x

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    1. Thanks, Annie. I'm trying to do the same before we head off to DS on New Year's Day. Wishing you and yours all the very best for the coming year.

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I welcome your comments and will always try to respond to them. Thank you for reading.