Bottle, Fruit, and Figure c. 1964 - 1968

Jirí Balcar made this print, Bottle, Fruit, and Figure, on a sheet of paper using a combination of techniques, although I’m not sure exactly which ones. What I notice first is how Balcar puts this all together—it’s like a collage in how it layers all these different things. The texture is amazing, right? Look at how the colors blend and separate, creating this sort of hazy, dreamlike effect. It’s not just about what you see, but how you feel it. The bottles themselves are outlined with these nervous but confident lines that make them feel alive. Then there are these almost ghostly images in the background. What’s great is how the artist isn’t trying to hide anything. It’s like they’re saying, “Here’s the process, here’s the mess, here’s the beauty.” I’m reminded of Robert Rauschenberg, who also mixed printing techniques. But Balcar has a sensibility all of his own. It’s a reminder that art is always a conversation, with each artist adding their voice to the mix.