Lot 140

Ludvík Vacátko (1873 - 1956) APOLLO

In a typical display of a masterful depiction of the anatomy of the horse as a central theme in Vacátko’s paintings, here we see the mythical scene of Apollo’s (or Helios’) quadriga pulling the sun across the sky on their chariot, thus ushering in the day. The sunlight bursts through the heavens from behind Apollo’s back, his two sisters running alongside the spirited stallions: the pale moon goddess Selene and the golden haired, rosy-cheeked goddess of dawn, Eos. Ludvík Vacátko was born in the Viennese suburb of Simmering and spent part of his life as an officer; meanwhile, he attended the Academy of Fine Arts, continuing his studies in Paris, Vienna and Munich. Due to his skill, Luděk Marold selected him as an assistant in creating The Battle of Lipany.