Hôrni chlapci 1932 - 1933

Mikuláš Galanda drew 'Hôrni chlapci' using pencil on paper. Galanda’s works often engaged with the social landscape of his native Slovakia. He was deeply influenced by the interwar avant-garde, particularly its urge to democratize and make art accessible to everyone. 'Hôrni chlapci' seems to offer a modern, abstracted take on traditional Slovak folk culture. The figures are rendered in simplified forms. These are possibly 'Hôrni chlapci', or 'mountain boys', rural inhabitants of the Slovak countryside. The drawing reduces them to archetypes of rustic life. During the early 20th century, many artists turned to folk traditions seeking an authentic cultural identity, which could act as an alternative to bourgeois society. Understanding Galanda's drawing requires us to research Slovakian culture, history, and the institutions that shaped artistic expression. Only then can we appreciate art's function as a reflection of a specific time and place.