Oltářní křídla z Roudník Wing altar

Welcome to one of the rarest treasures you can see in this place. You are standing right in front of the altar wings of Roudík, a work that carries an enormous amount of history, faith and unexpected salvation. You may see at first glance only two old, cut-down wooden wings, which act unusually, but believe me, it is in these details and in their imperfections that their greatest strength lies. Imagine looking at the surviving fragment of something much larger, the remains of a beautiful, late Gothic altar that once served as the center of spiritual life in one of the Czech parishes.

Let us now return to the time when this work was created. Imagine Prague workshops at the end of the 15th century, probably between the 1970s and the 1980s. At that time Prague was a cultural heart and centre of artistic creation that affected the whole area. These wings were not made randomly; was probably intended for the village church of St. Wenceslas in Roudniky. At that time this area was strongly linked to the Hussite tradition and the wings were probably ordered for this particular Hussite parish. The artist who painted these records was not just a craftsman, but a man who watched the latest trends from all over Europe. In his work you can feel the breath of great world directions, especially the influences from Nuremberg and Brussels, which at that time determined the rules of the best European painting.

Now pay attention to the work itself and what is right in front of your eyes. Look at these two records. They are examples of so-called board painting, a technique that reached its peak at that time. Notice that the wings are painted both sides. This means that each party had its own meaning and its own story that could change depending on whether the altar was closed or open to believers. If you look at the edges now, you'll notice that they're cut. It's not the artist's fault, it's the result of later history. These wings have been modified over the centuries to fit into new spaces or to meet new demands, which, while taking away their original dimensions, has preserved their essence.

And it is in this very essence that the most important thing is hidden. Now give your view to those paintings that appear to you through layers of time. This work is not just a beautiful example of Gothic art, but a historical document. This is the oldest preserved Czech painting, which contains a picture of Master Jan Hus. But you won't see him here as a scholar or a reformer, but as a prime martyr. It's an incredible view of how Hus was perceived in the period when his legacy was still pouring live into people's memories. This painting is one of the oldest proofs of how the Czech art began to display the character of this important man.

Who was behind this work? And who was behind him financially? Although the name of the painter himself remains hidden in history, we can try to estimate. It was probably a master from the Prague environment who was able to combine local needs with high artistic style. Then we can speculate on the client. Historical records and context of the time suggest that important figures such as Jakoubek from Vřesovice or his son Jan from Vřesovice could be behind the creation. These people had the power and the means to support the creation of such a costly and important altar for their parish.

But now I want to invite you to think of one great mystery and miraculous story of survival that took place much later than the altar was finished. Imagine a period of reCatholisation when the religious map of the country was changing and old, Hussite symbols were often sought after and destroyed. These wings stood on the edge of extinction. But how did they escape destruction? The answer is unexpected and shows what you see on the surface.

Notice what looks like baroque marble. These patterns that imitate precious stone are not the original part of the Gothic work. They were added in the seventeenth or eighteenth century. And it was this marble, this baroque camouflage that saved the wings. When people looked at these objects at the time of reCatholicization, they did not see dangerous Hussite symbols or depictions of Jan Hus. All they saw was an ordinary, decorative baroque wing with a marble pattern that looked like part of a new, then religious style. This layer of paint, which was originally only an aesthetic supplement, became an invisible shield which protected the oldest Czech painting from destruction. It's a fascinating example of how art sometimes has to hide in order to survive for future generations.

This story of hiding and saving continued until modern times. In nineteenth century, these wings were moved here to the Hussite Museum in Tábor, where they acquired the status of national cultural monument. Since then, it has served as a silent witness to our history, reminding us how fragile culture can be and how powerful an artistic detail can be.

Look at them for a while. Feel the texture, the colors that go beyond the centuries, and think of all the eyes that looked at them 500 years ago, even the ones that see them today. Each crack and every layer of paint tells its own story of faith, political twists and incredible random happiness.

I hope that this short journey over time has helped you better understand the importance of what you are seeing. Don't want everything at once, let these images run out. And when you continue your journey through the museum, remember that even the smallest details can hide the greatest secrets of history. Thank you for the tour together and we wish you a wonderful rest of your visit.