Saudek – Saudek Jan (2023)

The extensive monograph comprehensively presents the work of the world-renowned Czech photographer Jan Saudek. It is based on a chronological sequence of his creations. It is introduced by a text from Daniela Mrázková, supplemented by selected lists of exhibitions, publications, and biographical data. JAN SAUDEK is, alongside historical figures such as Josef Sudek and František Drtikol, the most famous Czech photographer. And at the same time, the most provocative. He is adored and condemned, celebrated and despised, worshipped and cursed. Why? Jan Saudek provokes. In everything. In how he looks, how he behaves, how he speaks, and how he walks with a dance step. He provokes with his unconventional demeanor, excites with his ostentatious eroticism. He exudes a peculiar restlessness from which, once caught in his action radius, we cannot escape. He absorbs us with a mix of tenderness and violence, traditionalism and extravagance, lyricism and irony, romanticism and obscenity. Women are often enchanted, as they become powerless and willingly let themselves be drawn into the magical world of his games. Men are usually embarrassed, which then turns into enchantment or a whirlwind of fierce hatred. For they too are - powerless - against his fluidity. One thing, however, no one can deny Saudek: His controversial work, bold dives into human emotions,…