Max Švabinský

Max Švabinský was a Czech painter, draftsman, graphic artist, and professor at the Academy of Graphic Arts in Praha. One of the founders of modern Czech art, initially he painted mostly landscapes. In 1910 he was appointed professor at the Art Academy in Praha, where he also had studied. He is considered the father of the Czech stamp school. His works were often pencil, charcoal and ink drawings, and graphics and book illustrations. His best-known other work included outstanding stamp and bank note designs.

Art was a calling of the heart and mind for Švabinský. Even in his twilight years, he worked every day. Švabinský is especially known for numerous portraits of famous persons, many of which can be seen on his stamps. His numerous national and international honors included an honorary doctorate from the Masaryk University in Brno and a nomination as Knight of the Legion of Honor. Apparently, various versions of his Diana na lovu (Diana on the Hunt) were produced, probably first a charcoal drawing in 1911. From this a mezzotint etching of 57 x 86 cm was made and eventually a mirror-inverted etching of 30 x 36 cm.