1

As demonstrated in my last two posts, most Czech artists before WWI went on to further studies in Germany or Austria. Therefore the influence of teachers such as Doris Raab (Munich), William Unger (Vienna), Peter Halm (Munich) and Alois Kolb (Leipzig), is strongly felt in their work. Czech interest in the graphic arts was reaching a peak in the years before WWI. If none of the selection of Czech artists who follow achieved the international renown of their compatriots Alfons Mucha (1860-1939) and Franti�ek Kupka (1871-1957), their work is nonetheless full of interest. Hermine Laukota, Der Mikroskopiker Etching, 1892 Hermine Laukota, Interior of a Synagogue Etching, 1906 Hermine Laukota, Kinderk�pfchen Etching, 1907 The only woman among them, Hermine Laukota (1853-1931), was born in Prague. Hermine Laukota studied etching under Doris Raab and William Unger. Her early career went well, and she exhibited in Vienna in 1889 and in Berlin in 1891. After her return to Prague, her story beco

Max �vabinsk� (Czech, 1873-1962), born in Kromer�, was a contemporary and close ally of T. Franti�ek �imon. Both studied at the Prague Academy of Fine Art under Max Pirner, benefiting from the graphics teaching of J. Mar�k and E. Karel. In 1910, while �imon was in Paris, Max �vabinsk� was appointed professor of graphic arts at the Prague Academy. I believe I am correct in saying that up until this time there had not been a dedicated graphic arts atelier at the Academy. Max �vabinsk�, Grossmutter (Grandmother) Etching, 1912 Although Max �vabinsk� was also a painter, he began to devote more and more time to graphics from around 1900. �vabinsk� is regarded as the founder of Czech modern art, introducing the influences of both Max Klinger and the German Symbolists, and �douard Manet and the French Impressionists. Max �vabinsk�, Untitled (Woman preparing for bed) Colour lithograph, 1912 As the lithograph above shows, Max �vabinsk� also absorbed the influence of Bonnard, Vuillard, and the Na