JITRNI
-i.
fr.taborsky
again has effectively used colour and his most recent
work Aristophanes' "Birds" which is decorated with
large aquarelles. Work of this kind simply cannot be
surpassed. The artist has caught the spirit, the vital
motive of the author's work and his pen or brush sets
forth its faintest vibrations with incomparable finesse.
Needless to say a thorough mastery of the technique
of illustration is essential to the work of the artist. The
technique of the woodcut, copper engraving, litho
graphy present no difficulties to Svolinsky. He has
himself made the woodcuts for a number of his books.
Originally a craftsmana wood-engraverhe is
familiar with all the technical resources of the craft as
is evidenced by his multi-coloured woodcuts to Sig-
mund Winter's "Foundling". Then again, the almost
unnumbered resources of the photomechanical process,
offset for instance, have been successfully utilised by
Svolinsky. This is plainly seen in his two very delightful
12
volumes of "Rotharchen's Adventures". It is the tale
of a squirrel and reveals Svolinsky's intimate know
ledge of Nature; every flower, every bird has been
carefully observed and drawn with much feeling and
character. The artist is fond of animals and loves
children whose hearts he has rejoiced with some
fascinating books. It must be sheer joy to learn "the
multiplication table in a short time" from his book
bearing this title. In addition to all the qualities just
mentioned Svolinsky has an accurate feeling for the
typographical arrangement of a book; for he is an
excellent calligrapher himself. Moreover, his dis
position of titles and text while practical is always
original.Karel Svolinsky was born at Kopecek near
Olmütz on January 14, 1896. Trained as a wood-
engraver Svolinsky afterwards attended the Arts and
Crafts School at Prague where he had the good
fortune to be taught by Professor Kysela to whom
Umschlag und Titel zu Taborsky „Weihnachtsmesse" 1939
Cover and Titlepage for Taborsky "Christmas-Matins" 1939
