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Oil on canvas. Signed lower left: “Konicek 14”. A Still Life with Roses, which dates to shortly before the outbreak of World War I, shows inspiration from Post-Impressionism, which Konícek gained during his visit to France. In 1910 the artist studied primarily the work of Cézanne, Derain, Matisse and Friesz. In the composition, a vase of roses is placed at the golden section on floral drapery. The modulation of the vase with white paint excellently adds contrast and space to the otherwise vibrantly colored painting. The painter, a student of Professor Vlaho Bukovac and Rudolf Otto von Ottenfeld at the Academy of Fine Art, held his first exhibition before he started attending the academy, and his paintings met with success; in 1908 he was exhibited at the Rudolfinum and in 1910 he became a member of the Mánes Union of Fine Artists. He focused on painting portraits, nudes, figurative compositions and still lifes. A number of his paintings are highly valued due to their documentary-like quality. Konícek undertook a number of study trips in his native land and throughout Europe; his paintings have been exhibited at galleries in Paris, Zurich, Berne, Bolzano, Venice, Rome and Vienna.