The new monument in Dobruška commemorates the painter František Kupka

Dobruška (Rychnovsko) - The memorial by sculptor Zdeněk Kolářský commemorates the world-famous painter František Kupka beginning this afternoon in Dobruška in the Rychnov area, where he spent his childhood. From Tuesday, two exhibitions of Kupka's works will also be accessible in Dobruška, Mayor Petr Tojnar said today to ČTK.
    Although Kupka was born in the nearby Opočno, he spent his childhood in Dobruška. "This is where he began to create, started learning to be a shoemaker, and even created his first painting - a signboard with a horse," Tojnar said. The new memorial, costing approximately 200,000 crowns, is located in front of the elementary school named after this painter.
    From Tuesday, October 7, to Sunday, October 12, an exhibition of Kupka's early works will be accessible in Dobruška in the spaces of the historic town hall, which is generally open only during the summer tourist season and showcases seven of Kupka's works. "Included is, for example, the signboard that Kupka created, as well as his largest painting - a panoramic view of Dobruška. Most of these works were donated by Kupka himself to Dobruška," Tojnar stated. From Tuesday until the end of October, it will also be possible to visit the exhibition František Kupka - Returns in the town hall's lapidarium.
    The exhibitions of Kupka's works are taking place in Dobruška and other locations in the Hradec Králové region, such as the Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Králové, on the occasion of a symposium dedicated to the painter's personality. The event will take place in Hradec Králové from October 7 to 8.
    František Kupka, who experts identify as the first abstract painter, was born on September 23, 1871, in Opočno and died in Puteaux near Paris on June 24, 1957. His works are part of world collections and are highly valued among collectors. For example, Kupka's painting Élévation (Heights) IV holds the domestic auction record - it was sold for 22.1 million crowns a year ago.