Sorbian Easter Eggs
by Eva Lechner
Title
Sorbian Easter Eggs
Artist
Eva Lechner
Medium
Mixed Media - Mixed Media/macro Photography/painting
Description
The Sorbian people, also known as Wends, were a tribe first mentioned in the 7th century when the people settled onto the land along the Spree River. Their homeland, Lusatia straddled Brandenburg and Saxony in Germany, and parts of Poland. They had their own cities, rulers, and flag. Unfortunately, because their land was on the border between Germany and Poland, they ended up being passed back and forth between the two larger countries because of warfare. After World War II, Sorbians were labeled German Nationals, and many were removed from Polish lands. Despite being integrated into the larger countries, the Sorbs kept their language and traditions alive. Sadly, today, only around 40,000 people speak Wendish, and it was at the risk of becoming an extinct language. Luckily, new Sorbian language schools and Kindergartens have been established in the region to prevent this. You will recognize the Sorbs/Wends by their elaborate Traditional dress. (It is also known as the Spreewald Tracht.) Each community has a different variation, with exquisite embroidery and a special folded head dress.
Sorbian Easter Eggs
In Slavic tribes (and in much of northern Europe) , the gifting elaborately decorated eggs goes back to pagan times. Eggs are a symbol of fertility, and the rebirth of nature after a long cold winter. When Christianity established itself, the eggs were incorporated into the new religion, as a symbol of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. You may have seen Pysanka from the Ukraine or Pisanka from Poland. Many of the techniques are similar, the main difference is in the patterns and the tools.
Sorbian Easter Eggs are usually decorated on Good Friday. Fridays are normally Work Days, but Good Friday is a Holiday… and decorating eggs is not considered work, so it is an acceptable way to spend the day. Each egg can take hours to decorate, from start to finish, depending on the artist, and how elaborate the decoration / pattern.
Uploaded
March 2nd, 2019
Statistics
Viewed 526 Times - Last Visitor from Cupertino, CA on 03/26/2024 at 3:44 AM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet
Comments (10)
Don Columbus
Congratulations Eva, your work is Featured in "Photographic Camera Art" I invite you to place it in the group's "2019 Featured Image Archive" Discussion!! L/Tweet
Rebecca Finley
Dear Eva.... My mother was Lithuanian. Her parents came through Ellis Island from the old country. This pattern of Easter eggs was taught to me by my mother.. I love your image. Thank you!!!
Eva Lechner replied:
Dear Rebecca,I took this macro in the Spreewald.It's the first one of a series I'm working on.I love the sorbian Easter eggs,I'd like to take a course for painting them,maybe next time...Thank you!
Karen Beasley
The designs and colors of the eggs are gorgeous. Great composition and digital edits. LF
VIVA Anderson
So beautiful and unique, these Eggs, your photo,and illuminating description. It's wonderful to read the good outcomes of their history since the 7th C.......and to see this tradition continue, and be celebrated here. Kudos, Eva........I love this and all resurrected beauty here...fv..VIVA