Lot 82

František Kaván (1866 - 1941) BELOW THE HILLSIDE

A calm winter landscape crisscrossed by a stream is a harmonious work featuring the typical style of František Kaván, the author of numerous paintings showing the transforming Czech countryside during the changing seasons. The winter landscape Below the Hillside dates from a quieter period in Kaván’s career, when he returned to Realism after 1900 and resided in Vítanov and Železnice. Kaván’s work was influenced by his studies in Julius Mařák’s landscape painting studio, where he started in 1889. He lived alone and led a humble life, and his realistic depiction of the landscape soon surpassed the work of his classmates. Influenced by the group around Moderní revue, he temporarily diverged from Realism in 1895 and switched to Symbolism and decadence. An expert assessment of the work has been prepared by PhDr. Mgr. Michael Zachař.