Lot 190

Jan Kutálek (1917 - 1987) A CAT

Jan Kutálek was a Czech artist, sculptor, and ceramist. His artistic work focused primarily on original ceramic sculptures and figurines inspired by Czech and Moravian fairy tales, travelogues, adventure literature, history, and mythology, and above all, Moravian folk art. Kutálek studied painting under Rudolf Vejrych, sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague under Professor Karel Pokorný, and traveled extensively throughout Europe. He began working professionally as an artist in 1940. From the 1950s onward, he also focused on applied arts in his ceramic work. In addition to his sculptural work, he also worked at the potter’s wheel. His work was most influenced by that of the Italian expressive ceramicist Salvatore Fancello. His work is characterized by a distinct playfulness, a sense of humor, and extraordinary poetry. Kutálek’s work is represented, for example, in the collections of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, the Prague City Gallery, and the Regional Museum in Cheb.