Křížová hlava

Cross-Shaped Head, 1994

Stanislav Libenský (1921–2002) and Jaroslava Brychtová (1924–2020) rank among the most important figures in the history of international glass art. Their collaborative work fundamentally transformed the perception of glass as an artistic material, elevating it to a fully independent medium of modern sculpture. Libenský brought exceptional sensitivity to colour, light and the painterly treatment of space to their partnership. Brychtová, whose artistic training was rooted in sculpture, enriched their work with a sense of monumental form and spatial imagination. Beginning in the 1950s, they jointly explored the technological and artistic possibilities of cast glass, creating works that became internationally recognised symbols of Czech studio glass. Their artistic achievements were presented at major international exhibitions and are represented in leading museum and private collections. Their most significant contribution was the understanding of glass as a material in which light is not merely an external effect but an active element of the sculptural composition. The present Cross-Shaped Head (1994) is a compelling example of the artistic duo's mature visual language. The work combines geometric abstraction with a suggestion of the human head, creating a powerful sculptural composition in which the cross-shaped motif becomes both a structural and symbolic element. The sculpture is constructed around the contrast between a robust, organically rounded lower section and a dynamically arranged upper part. The lower volume evokes the human neck and the base of the head, while the upper geometric structure opens into space at sharp angles, creating its characteristic cross-shaped composition. The cross is more than a geometric form. On a symbolic level, it may suggest the meeting of opposites, the intersection of human paths or the relationship between the material and spiritual worlds. The composition remains open to individual interpretation, inviting viewers to discover their own meanings within its abstract form. A striking feature is the diagonally inclined upper section, where sharply defined edges, translucent planes and deeper layers of colour intersect. The geometric articulation creates an internal spatial structure that changes with the viewing angle, revealing new relationships between the different volumes. The colour palette ranges from deep reddish-brown through warm cognac and honey tones to luminous amber and golden yellow. This chromatic gradation is one of the sculpture's most compelling artistic qualities. Where the glass becomes thinner, it appears to glow, while the thicker sections acquire a deep, almost opaque intensity. Particular attention should be paid to the interaction with light, which penetrates the glass and emphasises the intersections of the geometric forms. The cross-shaped structure therefore functions not only as an external shape but also as an internal architecture of light. The contrast between smooth geometric surfaces and delicately matte areas is equally noteworthy. Their differing finishes create an interplay of reflections, refractions and shadows that changes according to the lighting conditions. Although measuring 36 cm in height, the sculpture possesses a monumental presence thanks to its powerful spatial construction. It resembles a miniature architectural structure in which geometric precision meets the organic vitality of light. Created in 1994, the work belongs to the later period of the artists' collaboration, when their sculptural language had reached a high degree of formal refinement and focused on the relationship between mass, space and light. Provenance and Exhibition History Cross-Shaped Head originates from the private St. Martin Collection, which comprises significant works of Czech fine and glass art. In 1999, it was exhibited at the Černá růže Gallery in Benešov nad Ploučnicí. The work bears the signatures of both artists, S. Libenský – J. Brychtová, and the date 1994. The combination of provenance, both artists' signatures and exhibition history forms an important part of the sculpture's collecting history. CURATOR'S TIP Cross-Shaped Head is a work that combines the power of modern sculpture with the extraordinary poetry of glass. At first glance, it captivates with its dramatic silhouette, where an organically modelled lower section meets a geometrically structured upper composition. On closer inspection, however, the sculpture begins to reveal its true beauty – a fascinating inner world of colour, light and optical transformation. The cross-shaped structure creates a strong visual accent that may be interpreted as a symbol of human existence, the search for balance or the intersection of different paths through life. This openness to interpretation gives the work a timeless character. The dramatic contrast between the dark, almost sculpturally dense lower section and the luminous amber upper part is particularly striking. In natural daylight, the sculpture acquires a soft honey-coloured glow, while carefully directed illumination reveals its geometric lines and internal spatial structure. Both artists' signatures, the date 1994, exhibition history from 1999 and provenance from the St. Martin Collection make this sculpture a noteworthy collecting opportunity. The work appeals not only to connoisseurs of Czech studio glass but also to collectors of modern sculpture and admirers of distinctive artistic objects. FOR INVESTORS Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová rank among the most internationally acclaimed figures in Czech studio glass. Their work occupies an established position in the history of modern international sculpture and continues to attract interest from domestic and international collectors. The present Cross-Shaped Head (1994) combines several important collecting qualities: the artistic duo's characteristic visual language, attractive amber colouring, sophisticated geometric composition, both artists' signatures, provenance and exhibition history from 1999. Its striking visual presence is another important consideration. Thanks to its compact dimensions and monumentally conceived form, the sculpture is well suited to private galleries, distinguished interiors and specialised collections of modern glass. The motif of the human head is an important theme in the collaborative work of Libenský and Brychtová. In this sculpture, it takes on a distinctive form through a cross-shaped geometric structure, combining a suggestion of figuration with abstract sculptural expression. With a starting price of CZK 250,000, the work offers an attractive opportunity for collectors seeking a signed glass sculpture associated with two exceptional figures of international glass art. The sculpture combines aesthetic appeal, technical sophistication, a distinctive artistic identity and an interesting collecting history.