MASTER THEODERIC
(active 1350-70 in Prague)

St Jerome

1360-65
Tempera on wood, 113 x 105 cm
Národní Galerie, Prague

During the reign of Charles IV (1346-78) Bohemia experienced a political and cultural revival. The Prague workshops were dominated by two exceptional figures, the Master of Hohenfurth and Master Theoderic.

Around the year 1365, Master Theoderic of Prague was named head of the Prague guild of painters. A highly original artist, he broke free of the styles that were dominated by Italian, Austrian and French art and tried to develop his own distinctive style. Painted between 1360 and 1365, the 30 icon-like portraits of the saints which decorate the Chapel of the Cross at Karlstein Castle are one of the most impressive results of these efforts. The robust features of the individual saints are impressively depicted.