A detail of paintings on the ceiling of Härnevi Church in the countryside
northwest of Stockholm.
The painter was Albertus Pictor
(Albert Målare)
ca.1440-1509.
.
Here we see the playfull painting of a pig playing an organ, that is on the ceiling of the church near
the altar where it is most clearly visible to the priest, those taking communion, and important
church members who were, of course, in the front rows of worshippers.
The tale behind this is that Albertus Pictor had a contract to paint the ceilings and walls of the Härnevi
Church during summer in the early 1480s. It was his habit to paint churches in the warm summers,
and do fancy embroidery back at his warmer quarters in Stockholm during cold winters. When
spending a summer painting, Albertus would arrange for a place to live and eat for himself,
his
students, staff, and horses. At Härnevi he made a bargain with the church organist for room
and board for both people and horses, so all could do their work well and freely.
That summer was pleasant, and Albertus and the organist spent many a night sampling fine beers,
wines,
and spirits after the day's work. At summer's end when Albertus and his staff
had
completed
the
months
of painting, he sought to pay his landlord, and was presented with a bill double that
agreed upon.
The
organist/landlord said that Albertus and his various friends had eaten and
drunk far
more than was
envisaged in the orginal discussion, arrangements, and agreement.
Albertus paid, but was not pleased. Before he left, he returned to the church where he had placed a
painting
of the organist playing in prominent view of the altar. With some paint and a bit of work,
the
organist
at
the keyboard was replaced by the spritely sow
now seen tickling the keys.
The organist's
reactions have not been passed down to us.
Photo ©1999 Ron Parker
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