Josef Spáčil - Memories

We would like to invite you to the exhibition of the native of Přerov, pedagogue and painter Josef Spáčil (July 25, 1895 - October 3, 1983), whose work has not yet been exhibited independently (excluding the exhibition at the Secondary Pedagogical School in Přerov in 1936, where acted). Although he was not an academic painter, his work is influenced by the big names of the Přerov art scene of the time. He focused mainly on figural and landscape work, which is closely connected with Přerov. The exhibition will present paintings that the Comenius Museum in Přerov received as a gift from the author's daughter, and now the public has the opportunity to see them in all their beauty for the first time.

Josef Spáčil

His artistic talent was already manifested during his studies at the Institute for the Education of Teachers at the School in Příbor, where a drawing teacher noticed his abilities. Soon the gifted student becomes a creator of promotional materials and school supplies. Later, on the Eastern Front, he continued to develop his talent, creating very successful drawings, especially figural studies. However, he only got a real "painting school" while working at the school in Tupesy, where the painter Alois Kalvoda often went, who strongly influenced Spáčil's work.

Around 1925, Spáčil asked himself a fundamental question - whether to devote himself fully to painting or to stay with his teachers. In the end, he chose teaching, but art remained an irreplaceable part of his life. In the difficult times of the German occupation, when he could not teach due to resistance activities, he devoted himself fully to painting. In his work we find many themes connected with nature or Přerov, his hometown provided him with an inexhaustible number of ideas. He also illustrated several adventure and fairy tale books.

Spáčil's painterly manuscript is unmistakable, combining elements of Kalvod's romantic landscape painting with a quick divided manuscript as if inspired by the period of impressionism and pointillism. His painting is vivid, with fresh colors and a positive atmosphere.

Mgr. Kamil Lukes, DiS.