Mednyánszky - Night Travelers at a Cross

6/18/2019

Night Travelers at a Cross - László Mednyánszky - 1880(?) - tempera on panel

Stone crosses are ubiquitous in this part of the world and can be found in the most unexpected places. I have had the experience of encountering an ornately chiselled stone crucifix deep in a forest several kilometers away from the nearest settlement, which is probably why this image resonates with me. Granted, I was not walking in the forest at night, but the overall experience of finding a cross in the middle of "nowhere" was still moving nonetheless.

2 Comments

S.K. Orr link

6/19/2019 15:17:07

Such a beautiful and evocative painting. It has that eerie, mystical feeling to it when I gaze at it...familiar and unsettling. I so very much appreciate the artwork you share here on your blog, Francis.

In the region where I live, there are hundreds of little family graves and cemeteries hidden in pastures and fields. Stumbling across a weathered homemade tombstone while walking gives me a feeling similar to what you described in encountering the isolated crucifix.

Francis Berger

6/19/2019 16:04:41

@ S.K - Yes, I agree, the painting does have a mystical feeling to it. I appreciate the personal connection you made to it. I can picture the little family graves you describe; mostly forgotten and nestled in the valleys and the fields of your region.

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Mednyánszky - Night Travelers at a Cross

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