Baptism of Prince Bořivoj

Many Czech painters, especially from Ruben’s circle, have painted this event, generally seen as the beginning of Christian history in Bohemia. In his treatment Javůrek did not substantially deviate from Ruben’s 1841 preparatory composition for a mural (executed by Antonín Lhota in 1851-1853) at the Belvedere of Queen Ann at Prague Castle. According to Palacký this baptism, officiated by bishop Methodius with the Moravian prince Svatopluk acting as godfather, took place sometime in 873-874; contemporary historians date the event in the late seventies or early eighties of the 9th century.