Fritz Wegner: Medieval Mummers

Artist: Fritz Wegner
1924 -
Nationality: Austrian
Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 7 by 6 inches
Overall Size: 11.25 by 10 inches
Medium: Water Color on Hot Press Illustration Board

When winter snow blanketed the countryside and the world looked barren and forlorn, the medieval mummers brought revelry to the peasant folk of rural England. During traditional winter festivals, the masked players paraded through the village streets, entering homes at random to dance or play dice with the residents. The troupe, which was thought to bring good luck, was accompanied by minstrels playing strangely wistful music. As the popularity of the mumming plays grew, the dancers' costumes became more elaborate. Dressed as knights, squires, cardinals, one outfitted as an emperor, another as the pope, the mummers soon became a regular part of royal court festivities. For England's King Richard II, the mummers performed a traditional play which symbolically foretold the end of winter and the promise of renewed life in the spring. When the colorfully dressed players finished their play, they began a procession which worked its way to the king's throne, increasing in revelry as it snaked through the court. Once they reached the throne, the mummers invited the monarch to play dice with them. Equally popular in the court of King Edward III, the mumming play with its delightful costumes and frivolity became a traditional part of the Christmas festivities.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Great Britain 25p Medieval Mummers stamp issued February 6, 1981.

Artwork Copyright © 1980 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB06795

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