Max Svabinsky

Max Švabinský (Czech, 1873-1962), born in Kromĕříž, was a contemporary and close ally of T. František Šimon. Both studied at the Prague Academy of Fine Art under Max Pirner, benefiting from the graphics teaching of J. Marák and E. Karel. In 1910, while Šimon was in Paris, Max Švabinský was appointed professor of graphic arts at the Prague Academy. I believe I am correct in saying that up until this time there had not been a dedicated graphic arts atelier at the Academy.

Max Švabinský, Grossmutter (Grandmother)

Etching, 1912

Although Max Švabinský was also a painter, he began to devote more and more time to graphics from around 1900. Švabinský is regarded as the founder of Czech modern art, introducing the influences of both Max Klinger and the German Symbolists, and Édouard Manet and the French Impressionists.

Max Švabinský, Untitled (Woman preparing for bed)

Colour lithograph, 1912

As the lithograph above shows, Max Švabinský also absorbed the influence of Bonnard, Vuillard, and the Nabis. In 1917 Max Švabinský and František Šimon founded the exclusive Hollar Association of Czech Graphic Artists, whose founding members were mostly students or ex-students of Švabinský’s.