Jan Smetana

Product detailed description

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The third volume in the edition m series is dedicated to Czech painter and professor Jan Smetana (1918–1998), best known for his early association with Group 42. However, this richly illustrated monograph reveals a far more complex and lyrical oeuvre that evolved well beyond his group period.

Following his early focus on technological civilization and suburban landscapes, Smetana turned to nature in the early 1960s, exploring organic forms, light, and structure with the variation and nuance of a musical composer. His abstract compositions reflect a deep sensitivity to the invisible forces shaping the natural world.

This volume draws on a wide range of sources—including collections held by galleries and his family, as well as thousands of pages of personal journals preserved by the National Gallery Prague. These writings, along with reflections from former students, provide a deeply personal view into Smetana’s artistic development and worldview.

A central part of the publication is a carefully curated inventory of nearly six hundred works, offering an essential reference for understanding the scope and significance of Smetana’s lifelong pursuit of artistic expression.