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Kars (Originally Karpeles), Jiří

KARS (originally Karpeles), JIŘÍ (1882–1945), painter and graphic artist. Kars was born into a German family in Kralupy, Bohemia. After travels in Spain and Portugal he settled in Paris in 1907. After the Nazi occupation in 1940, he escaped to Switzerland. Kars experimented in formalistic constructivism, but after 1918 turned to figurative paintings of classical composition. His work was characterized by deep lyricism and intense sorrow, occasionally overcome by explosions of brilliant color. His life work was honored by one of the first large-scale postwar exhibitions held in Prague. Shortly afterward, Kars fell victim to a depression resulting from his war experiences and committed suicide.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Thieme-Becker, 19 (1936), S.V.; Roth, Art, 661; Příruční slovník naučný 2 (1963), S.V.


Sources: Encyclopaedia Judaica. © 2007 The Gale Group. All Rights Reserved.