Tragikomická revolučnost odvahy : Richard Fremund v Topičově salonu na jaře 1956 (jedna výstava v kontextu doby)

Amidst the turbulent socio-political atmosphere in Czechoslovakia in the spring of 1956, painter Richard Fremund powerfully captured the attention of the cultural community and art criticism with his first large show at the former Topič Salon. The exhibition and its controversial content ran counter to the official doctrine of Socialist Realism and were even at odds with the earlier politically pandering programme of the Gallery of Czechoslovak Writers. Contrary to expectations, however, the exhibition was not shut down. Against the contemporary backdrop of an increasingly relaxed cultural policy and discontent with the 'beguiled intelligentsia' the exhibition ignited a wave of both criticism and emotive admiring reactions. Thanks to the presence of a foreign correspondent who was working at that time in Prague and Warsaw the boisterous reaction the exhibition caused made it into the Sunday edition of The New York Times five days after the opening. In New York, an article titled 'Prague Art Show Scorns Realism. Exhibition by Czech Painter Disregards All Party Rules But Still Stays Open' sparked the interest of gallery owner Frank Perls, who offered the artist a solo exhibition. An analysis of the wide variety of reactions to this exhibition against the backdrop of contemporary events is the subject of this study.