Mikuláš Medek

Mikuláš Medek
Emila Medková - Mikuláš Medek, Genoa, 1967
Born(1926-11-03)3 November 1926
Died23 August 1974(1974-08-23) (aged 47)
Prague, Czechoslovakia
EducationAcademy of Arts and Crafts in Prague, expelled from studies for political reasons
Known forPainter
SpouseEmila Medková
Children1
Parents
RelativesIvan Medek, brother
AwardsFirst prize for painting, Lignano, 1968, State Prize, 1969, Medal of Merit (Czech Republic), 1st Grade, 1996

Mikuláš Medek (3 November 1926 – 23 August 1974) was a Czecoslovak painter. He united the artistic tradition of over three generations and thanks to the originality of his expression, depth and spirituality of his extraordinary work, he occupies one of the most prominent places in the Czech art history of the post-war period. Medek's entire work must be perceived in the context of the times, as it directly reflects the oppressive atmosphere of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. He worked freely only for a short period between 1963 and 1969 and had only two exhibitions in Prague during his lifetime.

He was the grandson of the impressionist Antonín Slavíček, the son of the general and writer Rudolf Medek and the brother of Ivan Medek. Medek's studio was one of the meeting centres for artists and art historians during the communist rule in Czechoslovakia.