23.11.2011 – 26.2.2012 | Praha

Jaroslav Němeček. The Čtyřlístek Comics Not Only on Stamps

Jaroslav Němeček - Čtyřlístek nejen na známkách

Exhibition dates:

23 November 2011 to 26 February 2012

Venue:

Postal Museum, Prague 1, Nové mlýny 2 Open daily except Monday and public holidays, between 9 and 12 a.m. and 1 and 5 p.m.

More information:

Jaroslav Němeček is clearly one of the top figures on the Czech comics scene. For over 40 years he has been drawing stories about the four friends from the village of Třeskoprsky - Piňda the Rabbit, Bobík the Pig, Fifinka the Missy Dog, and Myšpulín the Cat. This work brought him the entry into the Hall of Fame of Komiksfest, the umbrella organisation of this genre gaining more and more popularity in the Czech Republic. In 2010 his characters also entered postage stamps, which became the subject of an exhibition of his works in the Postal Museum.

Němeček's designs, trial prints, and successful final prints can also be seen at a new exhibition, Jaroslav Němeček. The Čtyřlístek Comics Not Only on Stamps , which is currently on display at the Museum's premises in Vávra's House in the street Nové mlýny 2 at Prague 1, from 23 November 2011 to 26 February 2012. In addition to the Čtyřlístek characters the author also presents his illustrations for the pop-up and 3D books Kocour v botách (Puss in Boots) and Kouzelník Žito (Žito the Magician). Němeček's ceramic works can also be seen at the exhibition for the first time ever. The works, created by Němeček since the early 1970s, include tiles with original decorations, glazed-tile stoves, and outdoor fireplaces. Other highlights displayed at the exhibition in the Postal Museum include photographs of replicas of impressive decorations found in Egyptian pharao's tombs, prepared by Němeček for museum expositions in Miltach and Wilddorf, Germany.

Speakers at the opening ceremony held on 22 November 2011 pointed out Němeček's artistic contribution to the sale of the new type of stamps and his strong position in the world of Czech comics for (not only) children as well as of book illustration as a whole. Viktor Sodoma, a famous musician who sang at the ceremony, reminded those present that - with the exception of Rychlé šípy (Fast Arrows) - there is no other series of Czech illustrated stories enjoyed by so many generations of readers.

Jaroslav Němeček (1944) grew up in Prague's Modřany neighbourhood in a house that later became the model for the little house of the Čtyřlístek four in the village of Třeskoprsky. He inherited his father's talent for graphic art and started drawing his first comics series as young as ten. During the years of compulsory military service after his studies at the High School of Art and Design in Prague he worked as a poster designer in a printing house. From mid-1960s he worked as an illustrator for the children magazine Mateřídouška and contributed to the publishing house Orbis. His inspiration for the Čtyřlístek characters came from the large amount of children magazines, especially comics series, he and his wife admired during their trips to Western Europe. The first Čtyřlístek story, published by Orbis, came out in 1969. The stories of the four friends are based in the lovely area around Mácha Lake with Bezděz Castle, transformed by the author into a fantasy world full of imagination, fun, and adventures.

  • Philatelists as well as ordinary museum visitors will certainly enjoy the opportunity to get attractive souvenirs accompanying the event - a special commemorative cancellation and author's signature.
  • The signing event will take place on 26 November 2011 from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.
  • A commemorative counter will be open on the same day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Jan Galuška opening the ceremony Jan Galuška opening the ceremony
  • The first musical section of the ceremony The first musical section of the ceremony
  • Viktor Sodoma Viktor Sodoma
  • Guests at the ceremony Guests at the ceremony
  • Jaroslav Němeček Jaroslav Němeček
  • Stamp design elite Stamp design elite
  • Jaroslav Němeček surrounded by his fans Jaroslav Němeček surrounded by his fans
  • Two generations of the Němeček family Two generations of the Němeček family
  • Jaroslav Němeček and the exhibition curator Jaroslav Němeček and the exhibition curator
  • Fifinka, Myšpulín, and their author at the signing ceremony Fifinka, Myšpulín, and their author at the signing ceremony
  • Commemorative postcard to mark the exhibition Commemorative postcard to mark the exhibition
  • Poster to mark the exhibition Poster to mark the exhibition