Lot 43

Jan Preisler (1872 - 1918) BREEZE

From the expert opinion of PhDr. Karel Srp: "The painting was exhibited for the first time at the second exhibition of the Society of Fine Arts Mánes, held in Topič's Salon (November 1898, no. Exhibition of the SVU Mánes, April-May, 1919, Rudolfinum, no. k. 258: Study for Wind and Breeze, oil, this study was included in the exhibition after the angular drawing Wind and Breeze, no. k. 256, which implies that it was made after it). Although the painting is not signed, its significance can be traced from contemporary reviews and monographs that were dedicated to Jan Preisler. Preisler's bold move towards oil painting, made under the partial influence of Vojtěch Hynais, had a twofold impact in critical circles. While the more conservative, whose tone gradually prevailed, perceived it as an unfulfilled endeavour compared to the previous angular triptych, the more modernist, on the contrary, managed to appreciate it and highlight its colour qualities. From today's perspective, it is possible to retrospectively accept the views that appreciated Preisler's entry into a new technical field."