Lot 79

František Urban (1868 - 1919) WOMAN WITH A CHILD

František Urban's motifs are identifiable at first glance. They are dominated by Art Nouveau influence, soft shading, pastel color and sensitivity to the display of the subject, which often has a very lyrical effect. The work in a generous format captures the touching moment when the child tries to stand on his feet on a blanket laid in the grass. He is sensitively supported by his mother, dressed in a pure white dress, emphasizing the almost divine purity and immense fragility of the moment. František Urban, one of the first pupils of František Ženíšek at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, is known as a painter of religious, allegorical and symbolist themes. In his extensive work, he devoted himself to monumental as well as small decorative work. He created a number of illustrations of fairy tales, designed the Austrian hundred crowns, securities and posters. His narrative themes resonate with the moods of symbolists and decadents of the late 19th century. The main part of his work consisted of designs for church decorations and stained glass windows.

Published: Work, year II., P. 249.

Exhibited by: Union of Fine Artists, Prague, 1904.