Josef Váchal (1884-1969)

THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD

1924–1925
Colour woodcut on hand-made paper 25x24 cm (43x34 cm), recto in pencil lower right below the print area the author`s signature "J. Váchal", lower centre the title of the work "Zmrtvýchvstání Páně" and lower left the note "/Z Postyly Kacířské/", 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. Slightly spotted paper. In contrast to the preceding dramatic scenes, this sheet has the effect of an image of light and transformation. Christ`s figure is modelled almost solely by radiance, which penetrates the darkness and averts the gazes of the guards. In this particular print Váchal works with a minimum of colour contrasts and deliberately lets the very principle of revelation come to the fore. The scene is not triumphant, but rather quiet and otherworldly, focused on the moment of crossing between death and life. The result is an image of spiritual hope that closes the cycle in the register of inner, not outer victory.