Lot 71

Max Švabinský (1873 - 1962) PORTRAIT OF PROFESSOR DRTINA

Leading Czech painter and printmaker Max Švabinský studied under Maximilián Pirner at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, where he later led the special printmaking department. His oeuvre developed out of Symbolism and Impressionism, which also marked his sensory relationship to nature and the female figure. He was an excellent draftsman and engraver exhibiting exceptional technical skill and a strong sense for detail. Over the course of his career from 1897–1961 his graphic art underwent many creative transitions. He also earned acclaim as the creator of the “Czech hall of fame” portrait gallery, which features Czech literary classics, visual artists, scientists and politicians, but he also made portraits of international figures. Other areas of interest were landscape drawing and printmaking that built on Post-impressionism and featured a personal, luminescent milieu. Professor František Drtina was a philosopher, university professor, politician and one of the founders of Czech Scouting. As a respected expert, he intervened in public life and political struggles. He was a supporter of T. G. Masaryk and from 1907 to 1911 he represented the Czech People's Party formed by him in the Vienna Imperial Council.