Josef Váchal, 1884-1969
Satyr and Nymph, around 1930
Oil on canvas
The work of Josef Váchal, which in addition to painting also included graphic art, illustration, sculpture, carving and literature, was influenced by Expressionism, Symbolism and Art Nouveau. However, Váchal is often perceived as an artistic solitaire whose work cannot be precisely categorized. As part of his artistic activity, he was interested in, among other things, natural motifs. However, his artistic relationship with nature was not rational, he was not interested in its realistic portrayal. Rather, he was interested in some kind of inner forces of nature, he saw it as an entity independent of humanity with its own history and myths, as a refuge of supernatural, fantastic beings. The painting Satyr and Nymph is a peculiar double portrait of the titular beings, set in a forest scenery dominated by a tree with a massive trunk and forked crown.
