Lovers Harlequin and Columbine 1927 - 1928

Mikuláš Galanda made this watercolor and ink drawing, Lovers Harlequin and Columbine, using simple materials. Galanda's application of watercolor gives the painting its distinctive appearance. The colors are muted, and there’s a subtle blending of tones across the figures and background. The ink outlines give the forms definition but also create a sense of flatness. There are very visible individual marks from the artist’s hand. The visible labor in the production process reflects Galanda's commitment to the values of craft. He embraced an aesthetic that valued simplicity and honesty of construction. This approach was a deliberate choice, setting his work apart from more academic styles that were the norm in his time. Galanda elevated the act of making to be as important as the subject matter, challenging distinctions between art and craft.