Lot 96

Václav Špála (1885 - 1946) (Imitator) A FLOWER BOUQUET

A beautiful and impressive example of a treatment of a still life with a bouquet, which Špála was able to elevate to an unequivocal experience. The Czech painter, printmaker and illustrator attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague under Professors Vlaho Bukovac and Franz Thiele. However, he never completed his studies. His early work was based in Expressionism and Fauvism. He later he was influenced by Cubism, but started to depart from it in 1923, when he began painting landscapes, still lifes and bouquets dominated by a single color tone. From the 1930s Špála's possessed maturity and liberation; his works continued to be dominated by still lifes and flowers, as well as portraits of himself and his family. However, in his expanded color pallet, blue remained dominant. He exhibited with the Tvrdošíjní (“Stubborn Ones”) art group, was a member of the Mánes Union of Fine Artists, and took part in the activities of Osma art group.