František Gross

19 April 1909, Nová Paka – 27 July 1985, Prague

František Gross came from the family of a civil servant and attended primary and grammar school in his hometown. He continued his studies in 1927 at the Czech Technical University in Prague and a year later at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design. His first cubist exhibition took place in 1931 in Nová Paka, where he exhibited with sculptor Ladislav Zívr and František Hudeček. He was active participated in various exhibitions, such as Zlín Salons, Hollar association and between 1942 and 1948, together with sculptor Ladislav Zívr and photographer Miroslavem Hák, was a member of Group 42. In 1961 he joined the group Radar, which was based on the programme of Group 42. In 1962 he received decoration for Excellent Work Achievement and two years later was named Distinguished Artist.

Gross’s work was primarily based on Cubism and Surrealism, with elements of Imaginativeness and Constructivism. He liked to experiment with shapes and forms and had a taste for grotesque figures and absurdity. He sought inspiration for his paintings in the modern city and city life. Inspired by the urban outskirts, he often portrayed factories, engine rooms and other interiors, fantastic engines, which later became the principal themes of his paintings. He used different painting techniques and untraditional methods, such as collage, frottage and patchwork. In the latter part of his life he worked on landscape painting and portrayed the environment of his hometown, Nová Paka.