Modernist Art and Design Education in Czechoslovakia, 1936 – Complete Eight-Part Set

Fiala, Václav; Jiří Neumann. Ilustrované osnovy kreslení v prvním až osmém postupném ročníku podle znění normálních učebných osnov pro obecné školy z roku 1933 [Illustrated Drawing Curriculum for the First through Eighth Grades, According to the 1933 Standard Curriculum for Elementary Schools]. Prague: Státní nakladatelství, 1936. 4to. Eight parts, complete. Original printed wrappers, most likely designed by August Tschinkel. Each issue with ca. 12 instructional plates. Loose in wrappers as issued.

A comprehensive illustrated curriculum for drawing and visual education in Czechoslovak elementary schools, progressing through all eight school years. The text provides pedagogical instructions accompanied by numerous reproductions of student exercises. The illustrations were intended as guidance for teachers rather than models to be copied directly by pupils. The curriculum progresses from elementary observational drawing and lettering to geometry, colour theory, composition, pattern, typography and spatial construction. The advanced sections are particularly relevant to the history of Czech interwar graphic design and visual education, with exercises in sans-serif lettering, abstract geometric composition, three-dimensional construction, photography and photomontage and constructivist design. Several later examples combine photographs, typography and geometric forms in compositions related to contemporary modernist graphic design. The typographic wrappers are most likely the work of August Tschinkel. Illustrated throughout in black and white with some colour plates. Complete set of all eight separately issued parts, retaining their original differently coloured printed wrappers. Very nicely preserved.