Mikolas Ales

Aleš, Mikolaš

 

Born Nov. 18, 1852, in the village of Mirotice in the southern part of Bohemia; died July 10, 1913, in Prague. Czech painter and graphic artist. A follower of J. Mánes. Studied at the Academy of Arts of Prague (1869–75).

Aleš painted pictures based on heroic themes from the national history (for example, Encounter of George of Poděbrady and Matthias Corvinus, 1878, National Gallery, Prague), made pasteboards for murals in the lobby of the National Theater in Prague (1880–81), and did a series of drawings, including illustrations to folk songs. His work was inspired by patriotism and democratic ideals, and he sometimes combined the traditions of romanticism with decorative stylization.

REFERENCES

Michko, M. Mikolash Alesh. Prague, 1952.
Neumann, J. Mikolaš Aleš. Prague, 1952.