Josef Váchal (1884-1969)

CRUCIFIXION IN THE PRESENT

1925
Colour woodcut on hand-made paper 25x24 cm (43x34 cm), recto in pencil lower right below the print area the author`s signature and date "J. Váchal 25", lower centre the title of the work "Ukřižování v přítomnosti", signed lower right in print "J. Váchal". A very rare copy from Váchal`s peak period. Váchal printed this motif as part of the book Koruna bludařstva to jest Postyla kacířská. As Váchal himself states in the publishing notes, this book was printed in 16 copies and furthermore "These woodcuts were, apart from the book, printed three more times on separate sheets and the blocks were destroyed during the work"; this is therefore one of a total of three loose sheets that Váchal produced. Pin holes at the top centre. This sheet belongs to the sharpest social statements of the cycle. Christ is surrounded by a crowd of deformed figures symbolising various forms of power, fanaticism and indifference. The cross here is not merely a religious sign, but an image of repeated violence committed by society against its own values. The polemic is directed above all at the clergy, whom Váchal criticises for hypocrisy and Pharisaism, for being "close to the lips yet distant from the hearts". The heavy colours and expressive draughtsmanship create an oppressive atmosphere in which guilt is dispersed among all those present. Váchal – regarded as an occultist and magician – thus very aptly comments on strong Christian conviction; the re-presentation of Christ`s sacrifice as an imperfective process. He shows that Christ`s crucifixion is not merely a historical, closed event, but happens anew every day, again and again. Váchal urgently reminds us that Jesus of Nazareth did not die on the cross because of the Jews or the Romans, but because of each one of us.