Strázce/The Guard 1970

"Strázce/The Guard" is a 1970 etching by Czech artist Pavel Nesleha (1937-). The artwork depicts a wolf-like creature standing in a shadowy, abstract environment, with a large swirling circle dominating the upper half of the composition. This piece demonstrates Nesleha's characteristically expressive and symbolic style, often utilizing animal imagery and geometric forms to explore themes of nature, power, and the human condition. The etching's use of dark and light contrasts highlights the tension between the animalistic and the abstract, inviting viewers to interpret the symbolic meanings within the composition.