Works of František Kupka will embellish the walls of the Grand Palais!
This is a retrospective exhibition of the best-known Czech artist. František Kupka can boast this title because, together with Robert Delaunay and Wassily Kandinsky, he is one of the founders of modern abstract art.
The Grand Palais is the most exclusive exhibition venue in Paris and it is an honour for every artist to have their works displayed there and František Kupka certainly deserves this honour.
Abstraction, orphic cubism, caricatures
He lived from 1871 to 1957 and spent most of his life in France. As well as abstract are, he was also involved in Orphism (or Orphic Cubism), which is a style that emphasises music, rhythm and poetry. However, so-called pure abstraction represents the most important period of his creative work.
His deluxe works have been exhibited worldwide. An extensive exhibition was last held in the National Gallery in Prague in 1998, however, the largest exhibition of his works to date was held in Japan in 1994. His paintings are also part of the Meda Mladíková collection in the Prague Kampa Museum.
František Kupka is also a master of caricature and illustration, which he created during the First World War, when he fought on the front and drew posters making fun of the monarchy.
Formerly a “bad dauber”, now one of the most expensive artists
Towards the end of his life he suffered from depression, he was losing his hearing and he found a home in the countryside. At the time of socialist realism the media called this artist a “dauber” and his works could only be seen 10 years after his death.
He is now one of the most expensive artists in the auction hall – along with Emil Filla, Toyen and Jindřich Štyrský.
This unique exhibition was created in collaboration with the National Gallery and can also be seen in Prague from 7 September, at the Waldstein Riding School.
