Scarce Abstract Silver Gelatin Print by Czechoslovakian artist Vilem Kriz 

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Czechoslovakian, 1921 – 1994

One of many European artists who immigrated to the United States during the Second World War bringing with him the lessons learned from his great teachers, Jaromir Funke Josef Ehm and Frantisek Drtikol at the State Graphic School in Prague, (1940 –46).

Kriz taught photography and Surrealism at the California College of Art and Crafts in Oakland, where he produced much of his later work. His prints are individually toned with chemical solutions of his own design and printed on 11 x 13 inch paper, rendering as Thomas Albright noted, "the grand-style of the Surrealist sprit."

Vilem was a genius, an alchemist, a sorcerer in the darkroom. 

His most gratifying experience later in life was returning to Prague in 1990 on the heels of Czechoslovakia’s Velvet Revolution, which signaled the end of four decades of Communist rule. Kriz was welcomed back with open arms and a number of important exhibitions. 

His photographs are highly recognized and are among many collections including the Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Highly collectible Photograph. Not available online.