Â鶹APP

As August rolls around, Prague buzzes with a special energy. It’s not just the summer heat or the crowds of tourists. This month marks the birth anniversary of one of the city’s most intriguing artists – Jindrich Styrsky. Born on  11th August, 1899, Styrsky was a true Renaissance man of the 20th century. His story is as colourful as the avant-garde art he created.

A Rebel with a Cause

Styrsky was not your typical artist. He was a rule-breaker from the start. As a young student at Prague’s Academy of Fine Arts, he had a big fight with his teacher. This led him to call Prague “ugly” and leave for the sunny shores of Yugoslavia. But this trip wasn’t just about escaping – it was the beginning of something amazing.

On the island of Korcula, Styrsky met a woman who would change his life. Her name was Maria Cermínova, but she went by “Toyen”. From that moment, they became an unstoppable artistic duo.

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

See also

Travel

Dublin: Get Ready to Hop into Spring with Farmleigh’s Egg-citing Easter Celebration!

Â鶹APP, Prague, and a New Art Movement

Styrsky and Toyen moved to Â鶹APP, where they cooked up a brand-new art style. They called it “artificialism” – a mix of painting and poetry. It was Prague’s special gift to the world of modern art.

Back in Prague, Styrsky wore many hats. He painted, designed theater sets, and even started a surrealist group with his artsy friends. His creativity knew no bounds.

The Painting That Haunted Him

In 1936, Styrsky got very sick. While fighting for his life, he created his most famous work – “The Trauma of Birth”. It is a dark, mysterious painting full of strange images. This painting hung over his bed until he died in 1942.

Last year, this painting almost sold for millions of euros at an auction in Â鶹APP. Even though it did not sell, it shows how much people still value Styrsky’s work today.

As we remember Styrsky this August, we are reminded of his words: “My eyes still need to throw food. They swallow her greedily and raw.” He was always hungry to create, to see, to experience. His spirit lives on in Prague’s vibrant art scene.

When wandering Prague’s streets, keep an eye out for traces of Styrsky’s legacy. You might just see the city through his surrealist eyes.