Ice of Liberty

CURATOR'S TIP: An intriguing allegorical drawing attributed to František Kupka and connected with his early Parisian period. The work combines symbolism, social commentary and satire characteristic of Kupka's illustration work before his celebrated abstract phase. DESCRIPTION: The composition depicts an allegorical female figure crossing a narrow icy path while a satirical social scene unfolds in the background. Executed in a combination of ink and watercolor, the work reflects themes of liberty, social change and human emancipation. The reverse bears the handwritten title "Ice of Liberty", which has been adopted as the title of the work. The drawing is dated 1902, corresponding to Kupka's early Parisian period. At that time, the artist collaborated with the renowned French satirical magazine L'Assiette au Beurre, one of the most influential illustrated publications of the Belle Époque. In 1902 Kupka created works connected with themes of liberty, power, money and social criticism, including contributions to the thematic issue L'Argent. The thematic and chronological connection makes this drawing particularly interesting within the context of Kupka's early Symbolist and illustrative work. While a direct identification with a published composition has not yet been conclusively established, the subject, date and artistic character correspond closely to the circle of works Kupka created for the French cultural milieu at the beginning of the twentieth century. The drawing bears a visible Kupka signature and originates from a long-established Moravian collection. It is offered as attributed to František Kupka. According to the owner, this work was presented in 2012 as part of an exhibition project in Plzeň where works by František Kupka were also exhibited. This information is provided on the basis of the collector's statement and has not yet been independently verified.