About me - Michal Janovský

Michal Janovský, however, lives and works in the 21st century, and so he chooses contemporary themes, which he is able to mix well with the past. He is often his own model. He likes large formats, as these allow him to play artistically with every detail, to which he gives an important, often essential role. He revels in hidden symbols and mystical nuances of light. Those who know Michal Janovský personally will soon discover that he is a master of dark humour and parody. He is not afraid of taking on any subject and does not shrink from, and in fact relishes, controversial topics such as excrement. Janovský revels in provocation and with a smile is able to parody and mock all human qualities and mannerisms.

He is fond of stories, fairy tales and ballads that have one thing in common – fear. He is delighted when people are afraid, even of themselves and people they recognise in his paintings. Thanks to a style reminiscent of the Old Masters, who Michal admires and identifies with, his works can seem somehow majestic. But that’s not all. Janovský’s main objective with his work is to entertain. He is a prankster who knows how to work with even quite serious topics, and he is most delighted when someone attributes to his paintings something that he as an artist is actually poking fun at. As an artist who loves large formats, perfection and detail, he has a need to play with every little feature and lead the viewer almost “by the hand” so that they don’t miss a thing or overlook something very important that is part of or even an essential element of the action – even a fly on a rotten apple.

Janovský moves on the border between symbolism to morbid romanticism. He likes to deal with man’s relationship to nature, life and death. Thanks to the style in which he works, he is essentially moving in time. The current themes portrayed by Janovský have a very interesting overlap; they evoke the mystery and mystique of Renaissance and Baroque artists, but simultaneously frighten and chill with contemporary tales. As a whole, his work looks decadently attractive and it is possible that Michal Janovský will become a gifted successor to the great names in painting. Text: PhDr. Renáta Mužíková, Ph.D.