Rating and value of paintings by Vaclav Spala

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Rating and value of the artist Václav Špála

Considered one of the pioneers of Czech modern art, Václav Špála quickly made his mark on twentieth-century art. This legacy is made up of a variety of creations, including Fauvist and Cubist compositions.

Today, the prices of his works are rising enormously under the auctioneers' gavels.

His landscapes are particularly sought-after, with prices on the art market ranging from €20 to €424,900 - a considerable range, but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to Václav Špála's paintings.

In 2024, a painting from the heart of the Fauvist period, dated 1928, entitled Rapids on the orlace river,sold for €424,900, whereas its estimate was between €190,000 and €350,000. 

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

Style and technique of artist Václav Špála

Václav Špála's bold style is marked by a vivid chromatic palette and dynamic brushstrokes that evoke a constant quest for pictorial vitality.

Strongly influenced by Fauvism and Expressionism, Špála infuses his compositions with an interesting energy, where saturated colors dominate the canvas surface, giving his landscapes and still lifes a singular visual intensity.

His technique is based on vigorous flat tints of color, often applied in broad brushstrokes that seem to vibrate to the rhythm of the shapes they describe.

This approach, far from academic rigidity, is part of a search for balance between structure and spontaneity, where the simplification of volumes never sacrifices sensory richness.

Špála pays particular attention to light, which he manipulates to reinforce contrasts and accentuate the dynamism of his compositions.

In his landscapes, particularly those inspired by the banks of the Otava and the hills of Bohemia, he exploits deep blue and red tones, giving nature an almost unreal quality, transfigured by emotion.

His portraits, though fewer in number, show a similar mastery, where the expressiveness of human features is combined with an underlying abstraction of form, and in this sense he is in line with artists such as Albert Marquet.

The influence of Cubism can be seen in the way Špála sometimes deconstructs space, juxtaposing colored planes that seem to oscillate between figuration and abstraction.

This tension between tradition and modernity characterizes a body of work that, while remaining faithful to its Czech roots, is fully in line with the innovative currents of early 20th-century European art.

With this unique combination of technical rigor and chromatic exuberance, Václav Špála transcends convention, leaving an important mark on the history of modern art.

The life of Václav Špála

Václav Špála, born on August 24, 1885 in Žlunice, Bohemia, is one of the leading figures of modern Czech art in the 20th century.

Trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, he quickly made a name for himself with his bold approach and his attraction to European avant-garde movements, particularly Fauvism and Cubism.

Influenced by the artistic innovations of his contemporaries, such as André Derain, Maurice de Vlaminck and Georges Braque, he nevertheless developed a deeply personal aesthetic, rooted in the landscapes and traditions of his native land.

Despite an uneven start, Špála made a name for himself at international exhibitions, notably in Paris, where he was noticed for his mastery of intense colors and his ability to transfigure reality.

The artist went through periods of rejection and critical rehabilitation, but remained faithful to his artistic vision, even in the face of the ideological pressures of the political regimes of his day.

He devoted much of his career to depicting nature and everyday life from a vibrant, exalted angle, transforming familiar scenes into powerful visual celebrations.

Špála died in Prague on May 13, 1946, leaving behind a body of work that, while embodying the modernist aspirations of his time, bears witness to a deep attachment to Czech cultural identity.

Focus on Nature Morte with fruit and a blue jug, Václav Špála

Still life with fruit and a blue jug, an emblematic work by Václav Špála, perfectly illustrates the synthesis of tradition and modernity that characterizes his art.

The painting, dominated by a vivid palette of blues, reds and yellows, continues the artist's colorist research, influenced by Fauvism and Expressionism.

Here, Špála moves away from classical realism in favor of an approach that sublimates shapes and textures.

The fruit, arranged with apparent simplicity, becomes the bearer of an almost palpable vitality, while the blue jug at the center of the composition acts as a visual anchor.

Technically, the artist exploits the juxtaposition of pure colors, applied in broad, energetic strokes, creating a dynamism that transcends the quietude of the subject.

The contours, though assertive, do not compartmentalize the elements: they vibrate, accompanying the rhythm imposed by the interplay of hues and shadows. This work testifies to Špála's interest in chromatic experimentation and his ability to infuse innocuous subjects with emotional intensity.

Conceptually, "Still Life with Fruit and Blue Jug" doesn't just depict objects; it reflects a celebration of matter and light, transforming the mundane into a striking aesthetic experience.

True to his attachment to Czech and European traditions, Špála here elevates still life to the level of a veritable visual symphony, while at the same time inscribing his work in the modernist movement of his time.

The legacy of Václav Špála

Václav Špála occupies an essential place in Czech modern art, leaving a lasting imprint on his era and on future generations.

His work, marked by a bold use of color and an almost sculptural treatment of form, reflects a relentless quest to capture the light and energy that permeate the landscapes and intimate scenes he depicted.

Far from limiting himself to the influence of the European avant-garde, he has infused his works with a singularity deeply rooted in Czech cultural identity, affirming a personal and modern vision.

Špála has distinguished himself by his ability to combine harmony and vitality in his canvases. His landscapes, often bathed in intense blues or vibrant reds, reflect a fascination with natural rhythms, while his still lifes evoke a balance between abstraction and figuration.

His distinctive style, blending Cubist and Fauvist influences, quickly attracted the attention of his contemporaries, making him a key player in Prague art circles and a respected figure on the international scene.

Špála's legacy lies in his ability to defy convention while remaining accessible, creating works that speak as much to the emotions as to the intellect.

His experiments with color and light paved the way for a freer, more expressive approach to painting in Central Europe, making him a source of inspiration for many artists.

Even today, his works continue to captivate, testifying to his pioneering role in the construction of a rooted and universal modernism.

The artist's auction price

Václav Špála occupies an increasingly important place in the art market, not least thanks to the intensity and singularity of his artistic approach.

His works, often marked by a vibrant palette and dynamic compositions, are particularly popular with collectors, both local and international.

At auction, his paintings of landscapes and still lifes, particularly those from his mature period, attract sustained attention. The deep reds and intense blues that characterize his most iconic creations give them a visual force that translates into remarkable results at public sales.

Špála's works from the 1920s and 1930s, renowned for their chromatic richness and technical mastery, are among the most sought-after.

In 2024, one of Špála's emblematic canvases far exceeded estimates, confirming the growing interest in this artist beyond Czech borders. This success reflects not only the intrinsic quality of his paintings, but also Špála's influence on European modernism.

Even his preparatory drawings, evidence of rigorous artistic research, find their way into demanding collections, proof that every facet of his work continues to captivate.

Špála's constantly rising market value underlines the importance of his legacy in the context of modern art.

His works, with their expressive intensity, still resonate, consolidating his position as a key figure of modernism, and affirming his lasting imprint on the contemporary art market.

Recognizing the artist's signature  

Václav Špála's works are often signed, and his signature can vary from year to year. It can also be found on manuscripts. However, he was and is much copied, which is why it's important to have your work appraised.

Knowing the value of a work

If you happen to own a work by or about Václav Špála, don't hesitate to ask for a free estimate using the form on our website.

A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your work, as well as any relevant information about it.

If you're thinking of selling your work of art, our specialists will also be on hand to help you find alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking market trends into account.