Stepán Bohumil (1913 – 1985)

« He was born in Křivoklát in Central Bohemia and studied at the Ukrainian Academy of Fine Arts and the private Rotter Advertising School in Prague before becoming a painter, graphic artist and illustrator.He published his first drawings in student magazine H2SO4. He exhibited figural composition in foyer of theatre D-38 in 1937. After the war he has worked on political posters and caricature.

In the early 1960s, like other Czechoslovakian graphic artists, he designed film posters that combine drawn and collage elements. Collage became his focus and his collage-drawings and cartoons appeared in publications such as the satirical magazine Trn (Thorn), Mladý svět (Young World) and Plamen (Flame), a literary magazine. His book projects based on this style include Praštěné pohádky (Wacky Fairy Tales, 1965) by Ludvík Aškenazy and Gulliverovy cesty (Gulliver’s Travels, 1968). In 1969, Štěpán emigrated to Munich, where he had a second career illustrating books and magazines; this also calls for research. Publications from his German period include a book of cartoons (1970) and Familienalbum (Family Album, 1971) composed in the surreal collage style of Galerie — it features a few of the same images. » By  Rick Poynor

Familienalbum (Family Album, 1971)

Stepán Bohumil-from Familienalbum by Bohumil Štěpán, published by Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1971 cover

Stepán Bohumil-from Familienalbum by Bohumil Štěpán, published by Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1971 cover

Stepán Bohumil-from Familienalbum by Bohumil Štěpán, published by Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1971  " Sister Amalie could not marry because she had a square head. But with a tablecloth she looked very respectable. A young man even shot himself because of her (when she removed the tablecloth).”

Stepán Bohumil-from Familienalbum by Bohumil Štěpán, published by Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1971
 » Sister Amalie could not marry because she had a square head. But with a tablecloth she looked very respectable. A young man even shot himself because of her (when she removed the tablecloth).”

Stepán Bohumil-from Familienalbum by Bohumil Štěpán, published by Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1971 “In our family, we usually reach an advanced age. Besides grandfather, great grandfather is still around. When he was 99 years old, we said he wouldn’t be around much longer. Today he is 199 and still with us.”

Stepán Bohumil-from Familienalbum by Bohumil Štěpán, published by Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1971
“In our family, we usually reach an advanced age. Besides grandfather, great grandfather is still around. When he was 99 years old, we said he wouldn’t be around much longer. Today he is 199 and still with us.”

Stepán Bohumil-from Familienalbum by Bohumil Štěpán, published by Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1971 “Relatives in Prague had a child prodigy. He aroused general attention, not however because of his artistry, but because of his appearance.”

Stepán Bohumil-from Familienalbum by Bohumil Štěpán, published by Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1971
“Relatives in Prague had a child prodigy. He aroused general attention, not however because of his artistry, but because of his appearance.”

 

Stepán Bohumil-from Familienalbum by Bohumil Štěpán, published by Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1971 “My Uncle Siegfried was a well-known personality. But although everyone knew him, no one knew him when he put his shoes on.”

Stepán Bohumil-from Familienalbum by Bohumil Štěpán, published by Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1971
“My Uncle Siegfried was a well-known personality. But although everyone knew him, no one knew him when he put his shoes on.”

Stepán Bohumil-from Familienalbum by Bohumil Štěpán, published by Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1971 “When Uncle Schwarzer flirted with Aunt, he always came home all sweaty, she made him so warm.”

Stepán Bohumil-from Familienalbum by Bohumil Štěpán, published by Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1971
“When Uncle Schwarzer flirted with Aunt, he always came home all sweaty, she made him so warm.”

Stepán Bohumil-from Familienalbum by Bohumil Štěpán, published by Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1971 “Three men have left Aunt Emma. Only the fourth one could stand her for a few years. He is a notorious drinker. She has a heavy head because of it.”

Stepán Bohumil-from Familienalbum by Bohumil Štěpán, published by Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 1971
“Three men have left Aunt Emma. Only the fourth one could stand her for a few years. He is a notorious drinker. She has a heavy head because of it.”

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Stepán Bohumil- Unfreiheitsgefühl ,for the satirical magazine PARDON in the 1960s

Stepán Bohumil– Unfreiheitsgefühl ,for the satirical magazine PARDON in the 1960s

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