Association of
Collectors
M. Jancakova
Miscellaneous
Josef Vachal
1884-1969
The work of Vachal both honors and mocks all of
the major artistics trends of his day, from Art
Nouveau to Symbolism and - through his use of
allegorical and dream elements -- on to
Surrealism. But for the farcical sense of humor
that runs through his work he might be called a
cross between Paul Gauguin and William Blake: His
luch colors bring Gauguin's tropical settings to
mind, and with Blake he shares an interest in
mystical and religious subjects. Like Blake,
Vachal was largely self-taught. Trained as a
graphic artist and is known for having discovered
a new technical procedure for printing in more
than one color from a single plate. He slowly
built a small but enthusiastic following with his
limited-edition press, for which he wrote, did the
illustration and created typefaces. He even bound
the books himself.
His graphic work comprises 2000 black-and-white
and colours wood - cuts, 17 graphic cycles. He
bounded and printed more than one hundred books,
decorated by the original wood-cuts.
Email ivanbohac@seznam.cz