Following the widespread international acclaim of the Catalogue raisonné des huiles of František Kupka, published by our company in 2016 in collaboration with the National Gallery Prague, the Belvedere in Vienna, König Books London and ADAGP Paris, the holder of the artist’s copyright, Adolf Loos Apartment & Gallery is now preparing the Catalogue raisonné of the oil paintings of Josef Šíma (1891–1971).
The principal aim of this international project and the resulting publication is to protect the work of Josef Šíma and preserve his artistic legacy for future generations. The same objective was achieved with the Catalogue raisonné of František Kupka, which made a significant contribution to protecting his work against forgeries and false attributions, while also strengthening his international reputation and recognition.
The project is now being realised in response to a request made in 2004 by Paul Facchetti to his friend Vladimír Lekeš, the current owner of Adolf Loos Apartment & Gallery. The preparation and publication of this comprehensive catalogue represents a significant financial undertaking.
Paul Facchetti (1912–2010) was a prominent Parisian gallerist of international standing who worked closely with Josef Šíma during the 1950s and 1960s. Facchetti organised solo exhibitions of Šíma’s work in Paris, including exhibitions in 1959 and 1960. His gallery also published accompanying exhibition catalogues and bibliophile editions, including the print portfolio Sacré et Massacre de l’Amour in 1960.
Vladimír Lekeš met Paul Facchetti in Paris in the 1990s and developed a close friendship and long-standing professional relationship with him, which included the sale of paintings by Josef Šíma from Facchetti’s collection.
The publication of the Catalogue raisonné will therefore pay tribute not only to Josef Šíma, but also to his gallerist, Paul Facchetti.
Foto: Josef Šíma: At Four O’Clock in the Afternoon (Pink Body), 1928–29, oil on canvas, sold at auction on 26 November 2016
