František Drtikol (1883–1961) ranks among the most distinctive figures in twentieth-century world photography. His elegant female nudes in the Secession style, the finely balanced compositions of Art Deco and the abstract interplays of light and shadow that followed — his work is instantly recognisable and continues to command exceptional prices at auction. Many publications have been devoted to his life and art. One, however, stands above all others: the most comprehensive monograph on Drtikol ever produced, published by Nakladatelství Svět.
The most comprehensive monograph on František Drtikol
In 2012–2013, Nakladatelství Svět published a two-volume monograph: František Drtikol – Stages of Life and Photographic Work / Secession – Art Deco – Abstraction. It is the most complete survey of his output to date, featuring over 600 photographs, of which 489 appear in a dedicated plate section.
The texts were written by the internationally acclaimed art historian PhDr. Anna Fárová (1928–2010). She did not live to see publication, but her profound scholarly insight and decades of engagement with Drtikol's legacy live on in these pages. The plate section was assembled by Stanislav Doležal, a leading authority on Drtikol's work, who collaborated closely with Fárová over many years.
Three stages of a great artistic vision
The publication traces Drtikol's work both chronologically and thematically — from early Secession through the peak nudes of Art Deco to the late abstractions and spiritual searching. It shows how Drtikol progressively moved from Romantic Symbolism towards pure geometry of light, shaped by Buddhism and his own spiritual journey.
Secession and Pictorialism
Drtikol's early portraits and nudes are steeped in symbolism and chiaroscuro, shaped by Jugendstil and Pictorialism. The body here carries a Romantic narrative.
Art Deco: The peak of elegance
In the 1920s, Drtikol reached absolute mastery. Female nudes became pure compositions in dramatic contrasts of light and shadow — the body ceased to be merely beautiful and became a symbol of the modern age, of movement and freedom. It is from this period that his most celebrated photographs originate, works that today sell at auction for hundreds of thousands to millions of Czech crowns.
Abstraction and spiritual photography
From the early 1930s, Drtikol gradually abandoned figurative photography. The nude dissolved into silhouette, line and plane — the photographs became direct meditations. As Drtikol himself said:
"Art is one; its forms are a thousand."
A collector's publication of exceptional quality
The monograph was produced in a limited edition of just 1,000 copies. The format of 33 × 24.5 cm allowed most photographs to be reproduced at their original size. Printing on Hello fat matt 1.3 Natural paper using frequency-modulated Satin Screening ensures outstanding tonal rendering and fine detail — absolutely critical for Drtikol's compositions. The entire monograph is housed in a specially made slipcase, underscoring its collector character.
The publication is aimed especially at:
• collectors seeking a definitive and authoritative survey of Drtikol's work
• scholars and academics focused on Czech and European photography of the twentieth century
• lovers of classic black-and-white photography and the nude
• those wishing to understand not only the aesthetics but also the philosophical approach of one of the most significant Czech artists of the last century
Conclusion
František Drtikol remains one of the very few Czech artists whose work has sustained lasting international attention — and this monograph is the most complete way to encounter his art. For collectors and scholars seeking a definitive, authoritative publication on Drtikol, this two-volume set has no equal on the world market.