Abstract
The publication describes the life and work of the Czech painter Jaroslav Klát (born 1962) in the context of visual arts of the 20th and 21st century. Although it is impossible to classify him as belonging to a single generation in terms of art style or movement, Klát has been influenced by several defining personalities.
Therefore, the publication focuses also on art styles of painters such as Miloš Malina or Jan Smetana who have been influential for Klát. The publication devotes special attention to the time when Klát met Smetana, a key moment in his formation as an artist.
Moreover, it focuses on modern art trends within the context of the period of normalization of the 1970s and 1980s during which Klát's painting was shaped. Special attention is also paid to Klát's sojourn in Paris and his travels to exotic countries that have enriched his artwork.
The book goes on to present and analyse basic construction and compositional elements of Klát's painting style that is characterized by the predominant role of colour and light. Klát's work is interpreted as an example of symbolic constructivism based on the original synthesis between shapes, compositions, objects and colours situated on the edge of artistic abstraction.