Frantisek Kupka (Czech: František; 23 September 1871 Opočno - 24 June 1957 Puteaux, France) pseudonym Paul Regnard, was a Czech modern painter, graphic artist, illustrator, cartoonist and polymath.
With his paintings he became one of the founders of abstract art. He was inspired by an unusually wide range of interests - including the universe, astrology, biology, physics, modern technology and music. He was also interested in theosophy, spiritualism, mysticism and Eastern philosophy. He was a vegetarian and practiced naturism.
He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. At this time, he painted historical and patriotic themes. Kupka enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, where he concentrated on symbolic and allegorical subjects. He continued his studies in Paris. He worked as an illustrator of books and posters and, during his early years in Paris, became known for his satirical drawings for newspapers and magazines. His work became increasingly abstract around 1910–11, reflecting his theories of motion, color, and the relationship between music and painting.
After the outbreak of WW I, he joined the French Foreign Legion and helped organize the Czechoslovak Legion in France. He was wounded at the front and was decorated with the Order of the Legion of Honour and was awarded the rank of captain for his services in the army.
After the war he was appointed professor at the Prague Academy, but after a year he returned to France. He spent most of his life in the Paris suburb of Puteaux, where he died. He is buried in the Père-Lachaise cemetery in Paris.
With his work, František Kupka made an indelible mark on the history of Czech and international art. From a commercial point of view, he is one of the most expensive Czech artists; his work the Blasting II was auctioned at Sotheby's in London in March 2021 for GBP 6.7 million, making it the most expensive painting by a Czech artist ever auctioned.
Kupka's work was rediscovered for the Czech Republic by the art patron and collector Meda Mládek (Czech: Mládková), who met him personally during her studies in Paris. You can see Kupka's work at the Kampa Museum in Prague, which looks after his collection and legacy.
Interesting fact: Kupka is the author of an advertising painting of a girl with a patent in her eye, which he painted for his friend Jindřich Waldes, the owner of Koh-i-noor Waldes factory.
Source: Kudyznudy (cz), Cojeco (cz), Christies about Meda Mládek, Museum Kampa
For the Rules of this Open series and the current List of caches see the GC Open #01 listing.
Just in case, a local cacher will provide maintenance assistance.