Ferda krotí koníka

Ferda Tames the Grasshopper

An original watercolour by Ondřej Sekora depicting a dynamic and humorous scene from the unmistakable world of Ferda the Ant. At the centre of the composition, Ferda attempts to tame a huge rearing “horse” – a grasshopper – with a rope, while other inhabitants of the insect world watch the adventure with fascination and concern. Ladybird and other characters rendered in Sekora's characteristic style complete the lively scene. The composition feels almost like a frozen moment from an animated story, with gestures, facial expressions and movement giving it remarkable narrative energy. Ondřej Sekora was one of the most important Czech illustrators, cartoonists and children's authors of the 20th century. His most famous character, Ferda the Ant, first appeared in the 1930s and gradually became one of the icons of Czech children's illustration. Sekora's distinctive artistic language is characterised by clear outlines, expressive faces, a strong sense of movement and gentle humour. His ability to transform the insect world into a lively community of recognisable personalities made his work popular across generations. Sekora's exceptional ability to tell a story through images is particularly evident in this watercolour. The contrast between the enormous grasshopper and tiny Ferda creates humorous tension, while the reactions of the surrounding characters introduce several additional miniature narratives. Fresh greens, yellows and reds combined with the softly rendered background give the composition lightness and playful energy. Executed in watercolour on paper, the work measures 39 × 29 cm excluding the frame and passe-partout and is signed “Sekora” lower right. It is presented in a passe-partout, framed and glazed. CURATOR'S TIP: Ferda against an enormous “horse” – this is precisely the kind of Sekora scene in which an entire adventure unfolds within a small format. Look at the frightened worm, Ferda's determination or Ladybird watching from a safe distance: every character is experiencing something. A cheerful, lively and nostalgic original capable of taking an adult collector straight back to childhood. FOR INVESTORS: Original works by Ondřej Sekora featuring Ferda the Ant represent an attractive collecting category within 20th-century Czech illustration. This is not merely a depiction of a single character but a rich multi-figure scene featuring Ferda and other inhabitants of Sekora's famous world, adding to both its visual and collecting appeal. With a starting price of CZK 40,000, it offers an interesting opportunity to acquire an original signed work by the creator of one of the most recognisable characters in Czech children's literature and illustration.