The Zlín Gallery has acquired the exhibition version of the Köhler Stations of the Cross mosaic

Photo: © Anna Peňázová

Zlín - The Regional Gallery of Fine Arts in Zlín has acquired an exhibition version of the ceramic mosaic by academic painter Jan Köhler (1873 to 1941) titled Pilate's Trial - I. Station of the Cross on Holy Hostyn. The author of the newly created version of the mosaic painting, measuring 220 by 400 centimeters, is restorer Vojtěch Pařík. The gallery has prepared a presentation of the work for today. An exhibition of Köhler's works is scheduled for next year, where the exhibition version of the mosaic will also be on display, said gallery spokesperson Zuzana Bílá today.

The author of the 13 stations of the Cross on Holy Hostyn, a Marian pilgrimage site in the Kroměříž region, was architect Dušan Jurkovič, who also influenced the design of the Beskydy Pustevny and the spa town of Luhačovice in the Zlín region. "The architectural design of the spatial solution for the chapels was created by Dušan Jurkovič in 1903. After an unsuccessful attempt with stained glass techniques based on designs by Joža Uprka, Jano Köhler was commissioned to realize new mosaic images, and together with the ceramic company RAKO, they achieved exceptional artistic effectiveness of the images by using a specific technological process known as cut ceramic," stated the director of the regional gallery, Václav Mílek.

Due to the challenging climatic conditions at the top of Hostyn, however, the works began to deteriorate and required renovation. During the restoration of the Stations of the Cross, Pařík revived Köhler's technology. "I worked on the restoration of the mosaic with the first station for six years together with my wife Passionaria, who is an academic sculptor and jeweler with a sensitivity for fine, almost chiseling work," Pařík noted.

The large-format image consists of 591 pieces; experts commend the impressive expression of the characters' emotions and the use of details. "Our task was to fix the remnants of the original tiles in place and create a mosaic that could replace the crumbled one and simultaneously fit it into the niche of the steel frame in front of the original image," said the restorer. The ceramic tiles are glued to 25 wooden bases due to possible transport and exhibition.

"Our gallery had previously acquired studies, preparatory painting boards for the mosaics, and a drawing sketch for one station. We are pleased that we were recently able to accept the newly created version of the I. station as a collection item, including the technological documentation provided by Vojtěch and Passionaria Pařík," Mílek noted.