Bohuslav Reynek (1892–1971)

It is remarkable that the first comprehensive monograph on the work of the iconic figure of Czech art and literature, Bohuslav Reynek, is only just now being released. What has happened is that so far only some parts of the enormous output of the printmaker, draughstman, painter, poet, translator and also a shepherd of sheeps and goats, has been generally known, Reynek spent almost his entire life at his country house in Petrkov near Havlíčkův Brod and he never much cared about the fate of his work. This picture publication presents a selection of his work with a commentary by the connoisseur of Reynek’s work, Pavel Chalupa. In addition to prints, printed at a scale of 1:1, the reader also learns some secrets from the printmaker’s workshop, where the self-taught Reynek moved around with an unusual ease working on the edge of drawing, printmaking and painting and thus created unique color techniques which in many cases result in authentic paintings on paper. 

Other aspects of Reynek’s work are presented in the book as well – drawings, paintings and experimental prints such as colored monotypes or paintings and engravings on glass exposed on photographic paper (cliché verre). For the first time, all six of Reynek’s graphic cycles have been reproduced in the book together. This art publication also touches on Reynek’s literary work which is inextricably linked to his acitivites as a printmaker, illustrator and publisher. Eleven collections of poetry and seventy books of translations from French and German are documented and presented through examples and an extensive illustrated bibliography, which proves Reynek’s exceptional talent and effort but also the truth that real art does not need to be born only in studios, salons and at academies but also in deep modesty, in harmony with nature and ancient religious traditions on which our world has grown.