Vaclav Vytlacil, 1892-1984

The Vytlacil School of Painting and Sculpture: Planning Ahead

The Art Student's League
Vaclav Vytlacil studied at the Art Student's League in New York, the Minneapolis School of Art and later pursued his education at the Royal Academy in Munich before enrolling in Hans Hofmann's renown school as one of his first American pupils. Later he became a prominent instructor at the Art Students League and other institutions of such noted artists such as Louise Bourgeoise, Robert  Rauschenberg,Cy Twombly and James Rosenquist. Vytlacil was known as a teacher who pushed students past boundaries of traditional thought into the realm of form, space, and color. 

Nevertheless Vytlacil felt strongly in drawing as a foundation for painting, admiring the works of the Old Masters and Cézanne.  He wrote, "More and more I realize that drawing is the bottom of it all. To paint without being able to draw  leads only to grief." Although he experimented with abstract and Cubist-inspired spatial  concerns prior to WW II, he returned later in life to landscapes, still lifes and the figure,  finding inspiration in new found  spontaneity.

From the catalog                             Vaclav Vytlacil, A Retrospective, published  by the Art Students League)

 The Vytlacil School of Painting and Sculpture is in the midst of planning a renovation of a barn on the grounds of the Vytlacil School. This will increase the number of students which the school will be able to accommodate. Once renovations can be completed the school hopes to expand its course offerings during the evenings and on weekends, as well offering children's classes.

According to José Feyjo,  Chairperson of the Vytlacil School Committee, the Vytlacil School is a viable and necessary cultural phenomena; with an expanding recognition. Long range plans are being drafted for a complete renovation of Vytlacil's Victorian home in Sparkill into a gallery devoted to displaying art works by Vytlacil and other prominent artists that have taught at the Art Student's League. As these plans are developed and funding is obtained, the Vytlacil school will be at the forefront of Rockland county's cultural growth and development.

 

 

 

 

Image courtesy of the Vytlacil School of Painting and Sculpture

 The Art Students League in Manhattan has been a vital force in educating and training artists since its origins  in 1875.  At the time the only major institution where one could study art in New York was the National Academy of Design. It was seen as being too conservative and not taking into consideration the new developments in art that were occurring in Europe at the time. It led a group of artists to found the Art Students League as an alternative and contemporary school of art.

The Art Students League consistently has attracted prominent artists over the years, beginning with William Merritt Chase as one of its first directors. The League continued growing over the first two decades of its existence. In 1892 the present edifice, located at 215 W.57th Street was constructed. Among the renown artists that have taught at the League are Robert Henri, John Sloan, George Bellows and George Grosz. Georgia O'Keefe, an early pupil of the school remarked, "Chase as a personality encouraged individuality and gave a sense of freedom to his students." And to this day that freedom is part of the Art Student's League's philosophy.

(from artstudentleague.org)