Lot 551: BOSTIK Vaclav (*6. 11. 1913 Horni Ujezd near

BOSTIK Vaclav (*6. 11. 1913 Horni Ujezd near Litomysl) Geometrical abstraction Pastel on paper, 58 x 42 cm, mounted, glazed, dated 1991, signed in the bottom centre. This pastel is an outstanding example of Bostik's late work in which he dealt with extreme abstraction of natural motives. He focused on the motif of a field and other regular natural forms and structures complying with his lyrical minimalism. Significant contemporary Czech painter and graphic artist, he studied at the Prague Polytechnics and at the Academy of Arts in Prague. His works belong to masterpieces of lyrical abstraction; he followed in the tradition of Josef Sima. His early work includes realistic landscapes but he soon turned to abstract painting. Together with the sculptor Jan Kriz he had created designs for windows of the Saint Vitus Cathedral, which were not realized, however this opportunity lead to his later interest in themes related to the Old Testament and apocalyptic themes. In the 1950s he devoted himself to abstraction and aimed at pure elementary expression. His works reflect bipolar treatment of the subject matter - firstly linear paintings making use of symmetrical division and secondly forming clusters of grey modelled fields. The two approaches reflect basic natural and above all cosmic reflections. See T 1/82, TD 32, B 2/199, Ch 1/199, NECVU 1/80.