Jan Zrzavý (1890–1977) is represented in the collections of the National Gallery in Prague by a large group of illustrations, ranging from initial sketches to finished compositions ready for reproduction. His modern approach to the content of the illustrated text elevated the illustration to a work of art on an equal footing and became an important part of his oeuvre. His most popular pictures, accompanying Mácha’s *May* and Erben’s *A Posy of National Folk Tales*, were produced in the 1920s and published by Štorch-Marien’s Aventinum. The artist’s second creative peak came with his return to the art scene in the second half of the 1950s, with his drawings for Shakespeare’s *Sonnets* and illustrations for books by his beloved writer Julius Zeyer. Zrzavý’s illustrations can be found in many books of Czech and foreign authors, some of which will also be presented.
Venue: Cabinet of Prints and Drawings, Trade Fair Palace
Curator: Zuzana Novotná
