Vojtech Adalbert Preissig Paintings

Vojtech Adalbert Preissig, born on July 31, 1873, in Světec, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), was an influential Czech graphic designer, painter, and illustrator. His early education was in decorative painting at the School of Applied Arts in Prague. Preissig further honed his skills in Paris, where he was influenced by the Art Nouveau movement and the works of Alphonse Mucha, a fellow Czech artist.

He moved to the United States in 1910, where he became involved in graphic arts and printing. Preissig's work from this period shows a strong emphasis on typography and geometric design, which would influence later developments in graphic design. He taught at Wentworth Institute in Boston and later at the Art Students League in New York.

During World War I, Preissig was a vocal supporter of Czechoslovak independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He created powerful propaganda posters that combined his graphic design skills with his nationalist fervor. After the war, he continued his work as an artist, but his focus shifted towards printmaking and creating typefaces.

With the rise of Nazism in Europe, Preissig became active in the anti-Nazi movement. His clandestine activities, which included the production of anti-Nazi literature, eventually led to his arrest by the Gestapo. Vojtech Preissig died in a concentration camp in Dachau on June 11, 1944, leaving behind a legacy that includes his contributions to graphic design, typography, and his passionate political activism.