Jan Kotik

Jan Kotik (Turnov, Czechoslovakia, 1916 - Berlin, 2002):

A major twentieth century Czech/German painter and lithographer, Jan Kotik was the son of the artist, Pravoslav Kotik. As a young boy he learned lithography and typography in both Turnov and Mlada Boleslav. Kotik moved to Prague in 1934 and studied there at the Academy of Applied Art from 1936 to 1941, under Professor Benda. His work there, particularly as a printmaker, gave him early international recognition and, in 1937, he was awarded a bronze medal for his art at the Paris World’s Fair and Exposition.

In 1939 Kotik’s first independent album of prints was published. Entitled, “The Testament of Burning Country”, the set dealt with the recent and ruthless occupation of Czechoslovakia by the Nazis. Several years later he was a founding member of Group 42. Kotik’s art from this period is mainly representational in nature. By 1950, however, the artist was clearly moving towards personal forms of abstraction. Unfortunately, Czechoslovakia was now under Stalinist control and Kotik was prohibited from exhibiting such art. Thus in the 1950’s he turned his attention more towards industrial design, glass making and book binding and also served as editor for Tvar magazine, an arts publication that openly opposed socialist doctrines. In 1957 Jan Kotik won the silver medal at the Brussels World’s Fair for a glass sculpture.

During the 1960’s Kotik’s art and writings stood as major symbols of resistance to the ruling Soviet controlled state culture. In 1969 the artist and his wife accepted a fellowship from the German government (DAAD) to work in Berlin. The following year they were officially deprived of their Czech citizenship. Germany thus became Kotik’s adopted homeland, although he frequently visited Czechoslovakia after its liberation.

Jan Kotik was now free to explore and experiment. In the 1970’s he attempted to detach his art from association with metaphors and moved toward a form of minimalist abstraction. This is clearly seen in the eight original lithographs presented here. During the 1980’s and 1990’s his art continued to examine contemporary developments in abstract art.

Jan Kotik was a full member of the Akademie der Kunste, Berlin. During his distinguished career his art was the subject of one man exhibitions at the Galerie Contemporaine, Brussels (1959), Galeria Skandinavia, Stockholm (1968), Gallery Tanit, Munich (1973), State University of New York (1983), Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo (1984), Folkwang Museum, Essen (1986), Gallery Ueda, Tokyo (1988), Flaxman Gallery, London (1989), Staatlich Kunsthalle, Berlin (1992) and the Memorial Exhibition at the National Gallery, Prague (2002).

In 1979 the Neuer Berliner Kunstverein launched a major exhibition of Kotik’s art at the Charlottenbourg’s Orangery (Orangerie des Charlottenburger) in Berlin. The exhibition was entitled, “Jan Kotik: Arbeiten (Work) 1970-1979” and dealt with the artist’s creations of his first decade in Germany. Apart from the eight original lithographs listed above, this collection also includes three exhibition catalogues, three black and white photographic brochures as well as several color reproductions, all dealing with Kotik’s art from this decade. Finally the collection includes three privately photographed prints of Kotik’s installations. In all probability this material was published by the Neuer Berliner Kunstverein for the 1979 exhibition. Thus I would assume that the eight original lithographs were either included in the exhibition and or offered for sale and purchased there. The catalogues, independent photographs and original prints all fit within a firm red paper folder bearing the title, “Jan Kotik 1970-78.”

In conclusion, this collection represents a most important document of the influential art of Jan Kotik. Not the least important, of course, are the eight original lithographs of which most were published in very small editions of fifteen impressions.

Condition of this Collection of Eight Original Lithographs on Paper created by Jan Kotik From 1970 to 1978 and 1979 Exhibition Materials from the Neuer Berliner Kunstverein.

All materials listed in this collection are in excellent condition throughout, without folding, staining or toning. Everything, including the eight original lithographs is housed in the original red folder. This collection clearly represents a most valuable example of the influential Czech/German art of Jan Kotik.

Our Gallery, (Art of the Print / www.artoftheprint.com) guarantees the authenticity of every work of art we sell 100%. Full documentation and certification is provided. We offer a wide selection of international fine art dating from the early Renaissance to the contemporary art period.

A Collection of Eight Original Works of Art on Paper created by Jan Kotik From 1970 to 1978.

Also included and (not illustrated here) are 1979 Exhibition Materials from the Neuer Berliner Kunstverein and various other sources.

Neuer Berliner Kunstverein
Jan Kotik Arbeiten 1970-1979
15 November - 16 Dezember 1979
In der Orangerie des Charlottenburger Schlosses
NBK in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Museum Bochum
und dem Senator Fur Kuturelle Angelegenheiten

We guarantee the authenticity of every work of art we sell 100%. Full documentation and a certificate of authenticity is provided with each work of art listed on this page.

Price: $2,500 US (for the complete collection)

Buy Now