an image of a drawing of a brown square with lines on it
Jeschke Jádi Auctions Berlin

298 - Classical Modernism Czech Modernism Istler, Josef Abstract c…
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Estimate €500 - €700
Sale commission
Description
Classical Modernism Czech Modernism Istler, Josef Abstract composition. 1944. Monotype on machine-made paper. Sheet dimensions 16 x 25 cm (30 x 39 cm). Signed and dated. A delicate composition on an earth-brown ground with a fine grain and a tinted edge. The outer margin shows a small stain and minor smoothed creases. One-off. – “In Prague, the legacy of an imaginative tradition prevailed… taken up in the woodcuts and monotypes by Josef Istler, which were created in secret during the occupation in their free, symbolic lyricism.” See Brockhaus/Leinz, p. 16. Istler is one of the leading representatives of Czech and European Surrealism and the Informel movement. From 1938 to 1939, he studied in Yugoslavia under the German painter Walter Höfner. From 1942, he was a member of the RA Group, and later a member of the SVU Mánes, the Cobra Group (Belgium and France), and the Phases movement. His artistic works are held in the National Gallery in Prague, the Moravian Gallery in Brno, the PNP in Prague, the Tate Gallery in London, the Centre G. Pompidou in Paris, the British Museum in London, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, the Museum of Marseille and the Museum of Modern Art in Paris. Czech Modernism. – Unique work. – Abstract composition. 1944. Monotype on machine-made laid paper. Sheet dimensions 16 x 25 cm (30 x 39 cm). Signed and dated. A delicate composition on a clay-brown ground with a fine grain and a toned platemark. Minor smudges and small, smoothed creases in the outer margin. – ‘The legacy of the imaginative tradition prevailed in Prague… in the woodcuts and monotypes of Josef Istler, whose free, symbolic lyricism was created in secret during the occupation.’ See Brockhaus/Leinz, p.16. Istler is one of the leading figures of Czech and European Surrealism and Art Informel. From 1938 to 1939 he studied in Yugoslavia under the German painter Walter Höfner. From 1942, he was a member of the RA group, and later a member of the SVU Mánes, the Cobra group (Belgium and France) and the Phases movement. His artistic work is held in the National Gallery in Prague, the Moravian Gallery in Brno, the PNP in Prague, the Tate Gallery in London, the Centre G. Pompidou in Paris, the British Museum in London, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, the Marseille Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in Paris.
See original version (German)
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About the sale Modern and Contemporary Art
Auction location
Auction time 07/11/2026 at 11:00 AM
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