ZIVOT. Výtvarný sborník. List pro výtvarnou práci a umeleckou kulturu.

Prague: F. Borovy, 1921-44; 1946-48, 1921 Quarto, octavo, various original bindings (boards, cloth and wrappers). Zivot (Life) was an important art journal, various editors, running from 1921 to 1948 except for 1945. In 1922 under the editorship of architect Jaroslav Krejcar and Karel Teige, it became briefly a flagship of the avant-garde and arm of Devetsil, and that annual is much sought-after with important articles and graphics heralding the Devetsil movement. There it announced Czech art and design to be in synch with the leading experiments in international modernism. Some years were released as annuals alone, others came in segments of ten issues. The journal’s subtitle ranges from „Art Review“ to „Review of Art & Literature“ to „Papers on the Fine Arts and Artistic Culture“ with a few further variants. Aside from the 1922 edition, it was generally dedicated to all aspects of art history, with emphasis on more recent developments but as a continuum with past traditions. There are a host of original graphics by Czech artists throughout, including a signed woodcut by Josef Šíma and stamped litho by František Tichý, a number of linocuts by Josef Capek, original woodcuts by Sedlácek and others. While the greatest emphasis was on painting, graphics and sculpture of all periods in art history, there are also interesting treatments of current architectural and stage design. There are also important poems, treatises and critical reviews by the Czech illuminati of the day. Complete, all published. Very uncommon, with one incomplete holding in North America.