The ninth image. Alfonse Mucha's cycle Slavic Epic represents one of the most dramatic and at the same time most crucial moments in Czech history. The monumental canvas depicts the moment after the death of Master Jan Hus, when the legacy of the Reformation turns into action and the word begins to become deed. With extraordinary power and symbolic depth, Mucha depicts the beginning of the Hussite Wars - a time when faith, justice and the defence of truth came into direct conflict with power and violence.
The central figure in the painting is the Utraquist preacher Václav Koranda the Elder, who took over the spiritual leadership of the reform movement after Hus's death. Mucha depicts him preaching at Křížky in Prague on 30 September 1419. Koranda stands as both a prophet and a leader – his figure is firm, upright, imbued with inner fervour. His gestures and expression radiate the 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 prayer alone will not suffice and when it will be necessary to take up arms.
Mucha masterfully works with the composition of the crowd surrounding Koranda. The shapes of the bodies, the expressive faces and the tension in the posture of the individual figures create an impression of restlessness and anticipation. The people in the painting are not passive listeners, but actors in a momentous moment. Their eyes reflect faith, fear, determination and anger – emotions that will soon be transformed into revolutionary action. In this way, Mucha not only recounts a historical event, but also captures the psychology of a nation on the threshold of fundamental change.
The banners also play an important role, their colours being a key symbolic element of the painting. White and red represent life and death, the purity of faith and the blood of victims. These colours become a visual prophecy of the coming conflict, which will be cruel but also formative. The Hussite Wars are not depicted here as mere violence, but as a tragic yet fateful struggle for spiritual truth and social justice.
The ninth painting of the Slav Epic is a celebration of the courage to stand up to injustice, even when the price may be high. Alfons Mucha managed to combine historical accuracy, deep symbolism and a strong moral message. The result is a work that not only commemorates the beginning of the Hussite movement, but also poses the timeless question of the meaning of faith, responsibility and sacrifice. This painting is one of the highlights of the entire cycle and rightfully occupies a special place in Czech and European cultural heritage.
Read also: Slavic Epic by Alfons Mucha - painting Eighth: George of Poděbrady - King of both people
Jan Vojtěch, Editor-in-chief, General News
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