Bohumil Kubista

A Czech avant-garde artist. He was an active member of the Czech association “Eight” (“Osma”) and the organizer of the first Prague exhibition “Independent”, and also became a member of the group of the first German Expressionists “Bridge” (Die Brücke, Dresden, then Berlin) and Berlin’s “New Secession”.

Bohumil was born and raised into a poor family. In 1896-1905, he studied at a real school, where he discovered a great mathematical ability. After graduation, he entered the Art and Industrial School (the School of Applied Arts) in Prague, which he left because of the conflict with the teacher. Then he intended to continue his studies at the Prague Academy of Fine Arts, although was completely dissatisfied with the classical teaching system. He left this educational institution, went to work in the army for money. The appearance of Kubista as a painter was influenced by E. Munch’s exhibition, which he once visited.

The artist’s works are an adornment of the collections of many Czech galleries and museums. The works of Bohumil Kubista had a significant impact on the formation of the national avant-garde in its various manifestations, the painting of a young generation of artists of the period between world wars and the creative youth of the 1960s of the 20th century.

Despite the fact that the entire creative career of Bohumil Kubista covers ten years, it is impossible to imagine the creation and development of the national Czech avant-garde painting without him. His work contributed to the spread of various theories of art in the Czech Republic, bringing it closer to the level of world achievements. Being not only a talented and original artist, B. Kubista said his word and in a European scale – the synthesis of art used by him is called a special “expressionistic cubism”. The first Prague exhibitions of “independent” artists, who formed opposition to Academism, were held thanks to the active participation of Bohumil Kubista, an energetic organizer and uncompromising champion of contemporary art in their preparation.

Key ideas:

– The first significant creative achievements of B. Kubista are associated with Postimpressionism (Van Gogh, Cezanne, etc.). However, the artist very soon was carried away by emotional Symbolism (E. Munch’s painting), which led gradually to Expressionism. The life circumstances of an uncompromising artist during this period were filled with internal contradictions, and the dramatic nature of reality (pre-war time) constantly pressed on an impressionable artist.

– The artist’s experiences and thoughts are reflected in such works as “The Motive of Old Prague”, “Still Life with a Skull”, “Soldier”, etc. The pictures with the clear composition are characterized by organically selected refined color solutions; from their bright colors, one can speak about Expressionism, as well as about the features of Fauvism.

– Having become acquainted with the principles of Cubism and personally with Pablo Picasso, Bohumil Kubista reveals the main line of creativity for himself – the use of fragmented images of objects, their presentation from different angles, as shown by the amazing canvas “Quarry in Branica”. However, his paintings do not become completely Cubist, because the artist with an analytical talent cares not only for the shape, but also for the symbol and emotion.

– He gave some concern to his compositions, using unnatural colors, so that the viewer is not immediately able to determine the feelings caused by the picture. Kubista “spied” this feature of the technique from the members of the Dresden “Bridge”. The Czech master remains true to his manner of fine art (this combination of techniques and ideas of Expressionism and Cubism with elements of sacred practices, which he was interested in) by the end of his short and bright career.