He Sprang Up and Fell Down 1965

Jirí Balcar's "He Sprang Up and Fell Down" from 1965 is a print that showcases the artist's use of the "black and white" style of printmaking. The print features a series of letters and scribbles, with the Czech words "vyskočil a upadl" (he sprang up and fell down) forming the core of the composition. The letterforms, scratched over with lines, and the artist's signature on the lower right suggest a sense of playfulness and improvisation within the work. The print exemplifies Balcar's interest in exploring the visual language of language itself.