The Ninth Painting. This painting from Alphonse Mucha's "Slavic Epic" cycle depicts one of the most dramatic and pivotal moments in Czech history. The monumental canvas captures the moment following the death of Master Jan Hus, when the intellectual legacy of the Reformation transforms into action, and words begin to translate into deeds. Mucha portrays the beginning of the Hussite Wars with extraordinary power and symbolic depth – a time when faith, justice, and the defense of truth clash directly with power and violence.

The central figure in the painting is Václav Koranda the Elder, a Utraquist preacher who took over the spiritual leadership of the reform movement after Hus's death. Mucha depicts him delivering a sermon at the Prague "Křížky" on September 30, 1419. Koranda stands as both a prophet and a leader – his figure is firm and upright, imbued with inner passion. His gestures and expression convey a conviction that faith is not only a matter of words, but also of responsibility and the courage to defend it. He reminds those gathered that a time is coming when mere prayer is not enough, and when it will be necessary to take up arms.

Mucha masterfully uses the composition of the crowd surrounding Koranda. The shapes of the bodies, the expressive faces, and the tension in the posture of each figure create a sense of unease and anticipation. The people in the painting are not passive listeners, but active participants in a pivotal moment. In their eyes, one sees faith, fear, determination, and anger – emotions that will soon transform into revolutionary action. In this way, Mucha does not simply depict a historical event, but captures the psychology of a nation on the cusp of profound change.

The banners also play a significant role, and their colors are a key symbolic element of the painting. The white and red represent life and death, the purity of faith, and the blood of the victims. These colors become a visual prophecy of the impending conflict, which will be brutal but also formative. The Hussite Wars are not portrayed here as mere violence, but as a tragic, yet fateful, struggle for spiritual truth and social justice.

The ninth painting of the "Slavic Epic" is a celebration of the courage to stand against injustice, even when the price may be high. Alphonse Mucha successfully combined historical accuracy, profound symbolism, and a powerful moral message. The result is a work that not only commemorates the beginning of the Hussite movement, but also poses a timeless question about the meaning of faith, responsibility, and sacrifice. This painting is one of the highlights of the entire cycle and rightfully holds a special place in Czech and European cultural heritage.

Read also: Alphonse Mucha's "Slavic Epic" – painting eighteenth: George of Poděbrady – King of Two Peoples

Jan Vojtěch, editor-in-chief of General News