May 8 – Italy honors Czech artist Vlastimil Kosvanec (1887-1961) with an exhibition that opened yesterday at the Italian Cultural Institute in Prague. Kosvanec is one of the 20th century masters of Czech art, long neglected because of the Czechoslovakia’s ostracism after World War II, and recently rediscovered thanks to Italian critics, collectors and cultural institutions. Italy set up an exhibition at the Museum Medici of Florence (2012) and at the gallery of the Czech Centre in Milan (2014). The artist is best remembered for his distinctive painting technique and inimitable style, although his work remained in oblivion for nearly a half century. The first and for many years also the last exhibition of the artist in the Czech Republic was held in 1961; since then, his works, melancholic, sweet and also greatly versatile, have not been at the center of an equally comprehensive exhibition in his home country. A press conference for the show saw the local media stress on several occasions the central role played by Italy in the rediscovery of this artist. The exhibition was opened by the Italian ambassador in the Czech Republic, Aldo Amati, who stressed the central role of inter-institutional cooperation in the realization of an event dedicated to the strong relationship between Czech and Italian culture. “It’s great to see such a complex and eclectic artist, curious about all aspects of life, have a place in our Cultural Institute, also in view of the upcomgin celebrations for 2 June. ” The Italian diplomat was echoed by the Institute’s director, Giovanni Scioli: “The exhibit’s specific meaning lies in the fact that Kosvanec’s works are once again on display in Prague, in his hometown and in his home country, ideally to bridge the long silence that surrounded his figure and his work. This is not necessarily a rediscovery, rather a revaluation and reassessment of this great artist.”
