MASTER JAN HUS PREACHING AT THE BETHLEHEM CHAPEL

The second painting of the triptych "The Charm of the Word"

The painting depicts the last sermon of Master Janhus in Bethlehem Chapel in Prague in 1412. In the 15th century, the chapel was the only place in Prague where sermons were held in Czech language.

In the painting, Master Janhus is seen speaking from the pulpit, with his students sitting attentively, taking notes. To the left of the pulpit stands a figure in white shrouds, Jan Zizka of Trocnov, a courtier of King Wenceslas IV and a doorkeeper to Queen Sophia. Next to him are Kriz, a peddler, and Hanush of Mülheim, who donated the necessary funds and land for the chapel's construction.

In the right part of the painting, under the canopy, is Queen Sophia, whose confessor was Janhus. Next to her sits her lady-in-waiting, resembling Mucha's wife, Marie Hytilová. She watches the cloaked figure in the right corner of the painting. This figure is a spy for the Catholic priests who wanted to be informed about the content of Hus's sermons. In them, Hus spoke out against the wrongs of the church and the sale of indulgences.

Interestingly, at the time Alfons Mucha painted this picture, the building of the chapel served as a rental house. This was because Bethlehem Chapel had been partly demolished in the 18th century due to its dilapidated condition. The restoration of the chapel took place only in the 1950s, which is why the painting features Gothic vaults with galleries, while today the chapel has a beam ceiling without galleries.