Černoch (Black Man) 1949

Emila Medková's 1949 "Černoch (Black Man)" is a striking photogram, a unique photographic technique that uses objects placed on light-sensitive paper to create an image. The work features a single, prominent eye, created by a round object, set against a dark, abstract form reminiscent of a face. This arresting image, reminiscent of a surrealist exploration of identity, was likely created during Medková's early career, before her later focus on textile design. The simplicity of the composition, utilizing the interplay of light and shadow, and the ambiguity of the forms, creates a powerful and thought-provoking work.