Karel Vik/4Views of Prague Bridges/Veduta/ORIGINAL COLOURED WOOD ENGRAVINGS 1925-1927
Specification
Continent: #Europa #Bohemia
Motive: #Pragenzia # urban landscape #Veduta
Artist’s Main Feature: #The Bohemian-born academic artist KAREL VIK (1883–1964) is best known in Czech nowadays for his his coloured wood engraving of the most beautiful and famous urban landscapes of Prague and other picturesque Czech towns. He opted unambiguously for realism. The main feature of Vik’s realistic art is his amazing rich and refined colour range. He co-founded the Hollar Association of Czech Graphic Artists, whose members were and are professional artists of the highest calibre and in provincial town Turnov he participated in the founding of a regional Association of Czech Graphic Artists «Turnovské dílo — Turnov Art» (especially in conjunction with Karl Kinsky). Since 1941 he was a member of Czech Academy of Science and Art, in 1948 he received Josef Manes Prize for his achievements in Graphic Art and in 1953 was a meritorious artist of Czechoslovakia.
Subject:
1. The Prague Bridges, 1927
2. The View of Hradčany and Prague Castle from Stephan’s bridge
3. The View from Charles bridge to Old Town of Prague 1926
4. The contemporary view under the Palacky Bridge 1927
These colour wood engravings were imprinted in the prepared book with text of F. Thaborsky devoting to Prague which was printed in 1928. Having very limited edition the book is seen as a bibliographical rarity. Expressive and laconic forms, delicate subtle colour range and joyful and positive fillings are characteristic feature of Vik’s wood engravings landscapes of Prague.
Age: #1925-1927
Medium: #coloured wood engravings
Location: #Czechoslovakia
Signature: signed by the author in print besides No 2
Originality: Original coloured wood engravings
The image size
No 1. (in mm) is ca. 83 x 145 / (in inches) is ca. 3,3 x 5,7
No 2. (in mm) is ca. 90 x 145 / (in inches) is ca. 3,5 x 5,7
No 3. (in mm) is ca. 72 x 145 / (in inches) is ca. 2,8 x 5,7
No 4. (in mm) is ca. 65 x 145 / (in inches) is ca. 2,5 x 5,7
Condition:
Grading: Good
Corners: Perfect
Writing to back: No
Writing to front: yes
Stains on front: No
Stains on back: No
Creases or bends: No
Tears: No
Pinholes: No
Artist#Engraver: Born in provincial Czech town Turnovo KAREL VIK (1883–1964) was an academic Czech artist dealing with graphic, painting, design of stage, illustration of books and making of puppets. Between 1902–1908 he seriously studied landscape painting at the Fine Arts Academy in Prague. His teacher was Rudolf von Ottenfeld. After following the success of the graphic exhibition in Leipzig, he concentrated his efforts on the graphic in style of colour wood engraving. The first series of his wood engravings was published in 1917 under the name On the Mountains Na horách, in 1921 already in Turnov Bohemian Paradise. Then a monograph with a series of wood engravings Winter Fairy Tale (1922), Prague (with text by František Táborský), and Slovakia. From 1941 he was a member of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Arts, he received the Josef Mánes Award in 1948 and from 1953 he was also an emeritus artist.
He invented a way to make a colour print with using one plate only. His secret did not be revealed nowadays. In Prague, he co-founded Hollar Association of Czech Graphic Artists. Soon he moved to Turnov, where he participated in the founding of Turnovské work (especially in conjunction with Karl Kinsky). Since 1941 he was a member of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Arts.
His works are held by museums across Europe: in Slovakia: in the Gallery of Július Jakoby and in the East-Slovakia Museum in the city Košice; in National Gallery of Slovakia in Bratislava; in Czech: in Gallery of the capital Prague; in National Gallery in Prague; in Monument of National Writing in Prague; Museum of Industry and Art in Prague; City museum and gallery of Hořice; Moravian Gallery in Brno; Regional Gallery in Liberec. Many works by the artist have been sold at auction, including «House by the Golden Well» sold at Dorotheum in Vienna, Prague «Fine Art - Prague».