Lot 87

Joža Úprka (1861 - 1940) YOUNG WOMAN WITH BLOSSOMS

This portrait of a young woman in folk costume from the Moravian Slovakia (Slovácko) region is the artist’s expression of respect and love for folk traditions and cultural heritage. The vitality of colors and expression connected with the young woman’s tender flower-framed face represents the charm and vivacity that Joža Úprka found in folklore and painted extensively, although he did not primarily intend to be a folklorist. He gave full voice to his distinctive visual expression through dynamic colors with features of Impressionism. Painter and printmaker Joža Uprka studied at the Academy of Fine Arts under Professor František Čermák. After three years studying at the academy in Munich, he returned to his picturesque native Moravian Slovakia, a region that is integraly connected with his entire oeuvre.