Karol Baron — Portrait of Vratislav Effenberger

The figural artwork by Karol Baron represents a unique contribution within the framework of the development of the neo-surrealistic traditions enriched by the specific black humour, absurd metamorphosis of shapes and the drastic grotesque. It is not only the complex evidence of the particular feelings of an individual, but also a specific mirror of the period of time.

Baron, who was keen on practical jokes, humour, sarcasm, mystique and surrealistic poetry depicted mostly different multicoloured creatures and mutants in his works, where the human characters were intersected with the floral features and mythical creatures.

Like surrealists desired to deepen the foundations of the real with the help of searching for other perspectives that were shown in their work (dreams, inner perception, subconscious and the stream of consciousness) Karol Baron also sought after the similar free and individual attitude towards the reality, but his work overlapped with traditional surrealism.

Vratislav Effenberger, the Czech literary critic, was the leading personality of the Czechoslovak surrealistic group in the 1960s, but not only on the theoretical level, but also from the managing position. He published in different periodicals until 1968 and wrote a large study on the work of Karol Baron.

Portrait of Vratislav Effenberger is actually his caricature. In this painting, the face puts out the tongue, which is full of gras and other herbs, there is a tree coming out of the nose, a pyramid emerging from his head and from behind his thick glasses there are small eyes in the heart shape. The depiction of his favourite mutants reflects the need to exaggerate and at the same time also shows the character traits of the portrayed person in an exxagerated, though playful way.