ČERVEN. Tendenční ctrnáctidennik. Nové umění – Přiroda – Technická doba – Socialismus- Svoboda.: (June: A Tendentious Biweekly. New Art – Nature – Technological Era –Socialism – Freedom)

Červen was a journal founded by the Tvrdošíjní (Obstinate Ones) group of leading modernist painters in Prague. They exhibited together in a show organized by the writer Stanislav K. Neumann in 1918, in the heady days of the First Republic. Cubism as an avant-garde was undergoing a shift from abstraction to Primitivism. Artists and writers allied together in this legendary journal, celebrating nature, pushing conventional boundaries and espousing political radicalism. The central figures were Josef Čapek, Václav Špála, Jan Zrzavý, Rudolf Kremlička, Vlastislav Hofman, all who had made important contributions to the Czech Cubism from 1909 to then. The journal lasted through five years, disbanding along with the group in 1924. The first two years (1918-1920) were the most visually productive and these are the most sought-after issues for their art content, which are all original linocuts. We offer two numbers from this time:

Rok I Cislo 2, 21. března 1918 (Year 1, No. 2, March 21 1918)

Quarto 27x21 cm., wrappers, pp. 17-29. Cover by Josef Čapek, full-page linocut & three vignettes by Václav Špála. Articles by Otakar Fischer, Jan Zrzavý, S.K. Neumann et al. The full page linocut signed on verso by Špála. A near fine copy.

Rok I Čislo 17, 7, listopadu 1918. (Year I, No. 17, November 7 1918)

Quarto 27x21 cm., wrappers, pp. 235-246. Linocut cover by Josef Čapek, full-page linocut by Karel Teige. Articles by Richard Weiner, Bedřich Feuerstein, S.K. Neumann, et al. Capek was a major contributor to this journal in the first two years and produced many wonderful graphics in it. We also find the precocious Karel Teige and Jaroslav Seifert present here, both future members of the soon-to-be Devetsil group who would surpass the forward thrust of Červen. Rare in any condition, this is a very good+ copy.