New publication maps the literary work of sculptor František Bílek

Prague - A new publication by Pavel Myslín maps the book production of the significant Czech sculptor František Bílek. It offers readers a list of publications that Bílek graphically or artistically processed and presents Bílek's own texts. The Gallery of the Capital City of Prague (GHMP), in cooperation with the Arbor Vitae publishing house, publishes František Bílek and the book just a few days after the 70th anniversary of the author's death. Michaela Moučková, spokeswoman for GHMP, informed ČTK about this.
    The ceremonial launch of the publication will take place on October 24 directly in the author's sculpture studio, which is part of the recently reconstructed Bílek Villa in Prague 6. The launch will occur as part of a professional symposium, featuring curators such as Karel Srp, Hana Larvová, and Sandra Baborovská, as well as art historians and experts Petr Wittlich, Pavel Křepela, Martin Krumholz, and Roman Musil.
    "The book presents all of František Bílek's book creations from 1898 to 1941 in eight sections. A significant sculptor of Czech Symbolism, known for his works such as Moses, The Blind, Wonder, The Meaning of the Word Madonna, and many others, he transferred his vision of spiritual art into his book works," stated Moučková, adding that Bílek, in his own texts and graphic cycles (Our Father, The Construction of the Future Temple Within Us, The Path, Mystical Treatise), presents and explains his spiritual journey. "Attention is also paid to the bookbinding, relief, parchment, and full leather bindings, the design of bindings, and individual bindings cut into leather," Moučková adds regarding the new book.
    Bílek graphically or artistically accompanied, for example, the works of priest and writer Jakub Deml (Miriam, The Nightingale of Saint Bonaventure), poet Otokar Březina (Hands), Julia Zeyer (A Novel of the Loyal Friendship of Amis and Amil), and many others. The title František Bílek and the book, besides rich photographic documentation and Myslín's texts, also contains a complete chronological list of all books in which Bílek participated.
    František Bílek was born on November 6, 1872, in Chýnov near Tábor. As a student, he focused on painting, but eventually had to abandon it due to a vision defect - he suffered from so-called color blindness (partial color blindness). For this reason, he preferred working with shape and solid material and began to focus on sculpture and partially also on architecture. His work was shaped from the beginning by deep piety; besides biblical themes, Bílek was also interested in national history and the ideas of Czech religious reformers. He also found inspiration in nature. The master of Czech Art Nouveau symbolism passed away on October 13, 1941.