František Kupka - Revision history

Malini Lavappa: /* Artistic Style and Career */

2026-06-04T02:26:40Z

Artistic Style and Career

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	In 1910, he announced that “he was preparing to state publicly his beliefs in theosophical principles and spiritualism.”<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 36</ref> Astral vision and science (astronomy and astrophysics) became integral to his work.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I/</ref> For him, the inner world was linked to the cosmos and he used theosophical symbols (sphinx, lotus etc.) and concepts (planetary chain, involution/evolution, ascent from matter to spirit, thought forms) in his paintings to depict the relationship between the universe and man.<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, pp.79-82 </ref>		In 1910, he announced that “he was preparing to state publicly his beliefs in theosophical principles and spiritualism.”<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 36</ref> Astral vision and science (astronomy and astrophysics) became integral to his work.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I/</ref> For him, the inner world was linked to the cosmos and he used theosophical symbols (sphinx, lotus etc.) and concepts (planetary chain, involution/evolution, ascent from matter to spirit, thought forms) in his paintings to depict the relationship between the universe and man.<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, pp.79-82 </ref>

	By 1912, his work took on a more poetic and internal vision of life and nature. Kupka worked in series, similar to musical composers, with each drawing revealing his keen interest in motion and perception. Like other artists, he employed dematerialization <ref>"Transcending the Visible: The Generation of the Abstract Pioneers", Sixten Ringbom, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 146 </ref> in some of his series and the work became more abstract with the play of form (color, light, and composition). He began writing a book on the nature of art (''La Creation dans Les arts plastiques'') which was eventually published in 1923. It revealed that he had read Blavatsky’s The Secret Doctrine and works by Rudolf Steiner.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref> He became a founding member of the Abstract-Creation group in 1931. In 1936, his work was included in an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art~~. His work was included in exhibits with other Czech artists~~. In the 1950s, his work was generally recognized and he had several solo exhibits in NY.		By 1912, his work took on a more poetic and internal vision of life and nature. Kupka worked in series, similar to musical composers, with each drawing revealing his keen interest in motion and perception. Like other artists, he employed dematerialization <ref>"Transcending the Visible: The Generation of the Abstract Pioneers", Sixten Ringbom, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 146 </ref> in some of his series and the work became more abstract with the play of form (color, light, and composition). He began writing a book on the nature of art (''La Creation dans Les arts plastiques'') which was eventually published in 1923. It revealed that he had read Blavatsky’s The Secret Doctrine and works by Rudolf Steiner.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref> He became a founding member of the Abstract-Creation group in 1931. In 1936, his work was included in the exhibit "Cubism and Abstract Art" at the Museum of Modern Art. In the 1950s, his work was generally recognized and he had several solo exhibits in NY.

	Kupka was an avid meditator and vegetarian. He passed away on June 24,1957. His funeral was held in a secret place by a secret society.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref>		Kupka was an avid meditator and vegetarian. He passed away on June 24,1957. His funeral was held in a secret place by a secret society.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref>

Malini Lavappa: /* Artistic Style and Career */

2026-06-04T02:23:57Z

Artistic Style and Career

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	In 1910, he announced that “he was preparing to state publicly his beliefs in theosophical principles and spiritualism.”<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 36</ref> Astral vision and science (astronomy and astrophysics) became integral to his work.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I/</ref> For him, the inner world was linked to the cosmos and he used theosophical symbols (sphinx, lotus etc.) and concepts (planetary chain, involution/evolution, ascent from matter to spirit, thought forms) in his paintings to depict the relationship between the universe and man.<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, pp.79-82 </ref>		In 1910, he announced that “he was preparing to state publicly his beliefs in theosophical principles and spiritualism.”<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 36</ref> Astral vision and science (astronomy and astrophysics) became integral to his work.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I/</ref> For him, the inner world was linked to the cosmos and he used theosophical symbols (sphinx, lotus etc.) and concepts (planetary chain, involution/evolution, ascent from matter to spirit, thought forms) in his paintings to depict the relationship between the universe and man.<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, pp.79-82 </ref>

	By 1912, his work took on a more poetic and internal vision of life and nature. Kupka worked in series, similar to musical composers, with each drawing revealing his keen interest in motion and perception. Like other artists, he employed dematerialization <ref>"Transcending the Visible: The Generation of the Abstract Pioneers", Sixten Ringbom, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 146 </ref> in some of his series and the work became more abstract with the play of form (color, light, and composition). He began writing a book on the nature of art (La Creation dans Les arts plastiques) which was eventually published in 1923. It revealed that he had read Blavatsky’s The Secret Doctrine and works by Rudolf Steiner.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref> He became a founding member of the Abstract-Creation group in 1931. In 1936, his work was included in an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. His work was included in exhibits with other Czech artists. In the 1950s, his work was generally recognized and he had several solo exhibits in NY.		By 1912, his work took on a more poetic and internal vision of life and nature. Kupka worked in series, similar to musical composers, with each drawing revealing his keen interest in motion and perception. Like other artists, he employed dematerialization <ref>"Transcending the Visible: The Generation of the Abstract Pioneers", Sixten Ringbom, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 146 </ref> in some of his series and the work became more abstract with the play of form (color, light, and composition). He began writing a book on the nature of art (''La Creation dans Les arts plastiques'') which was eventually published in 1923. It revealed that he had read Blavatsky’s The Secret Doctrine and works by Rudolf Steiner.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref> He became a founding member of the Abstract-Creation group in 1931. In 1936, his work was included in an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. His work was included in exhibits with other Czech artists. In the 1950s, his work was generally recognized and he had several solo exhibits in NY.

	He was an avid meditator and vegetarian. He passed away on June 24,1957. His funeral was held in a secret place by a secret society.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref>		Kupka was an avid meditator and vegetarian. He passed away on June 24,1957. His funeral was held in a secret place by a secret society.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref>

	== Additional resources ==		== Additional resources ==

Malini Lavappa: /* Artistic Style and Career */

2026-06-04T02:08:24Z

Artistic Style and Career

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	'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>		'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>

	In Paris, he also worked as an illustrator of books and posters gaining recognition for his satirical drawings. In 1906, he exhibited at the Salon de Automne. In 1907, he released his self-portrait called Yellow Scale. He called his works that blended color and music “Symmorphies”~~. He was heavily influenced by books of Annie Besant including Man~~ and His Bodies, Life After Death, Reicarnation, Karma, and Thought Forms.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I</ref> She said sound is always associated with color and those who have developed their inner senses can perceive the colors. He got involved with the Orphism movement, which explored the relationship between music and painting. Some saw Orphism as a step in the transition from cubism to abstraction.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism_(art)</ref>		In Paris, he also worked as an illustrator of books and posters gaining recognition for his satirical drawings. In 1906, he exhibited at the Salon de Automne. In 1907, he released his self-portrait called Yellow Scale. He called his works that blended color and music “Symmorphies” and got involved with the Orphism movement, which explored the relationship between music and painting. Some saw Orphism as a step in the transition from cubism to abstraction.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism_(art)</ref>

	In 1910, he announced that “he was preparing to state publicly his beliefs in theosophical principles and spiritualism.”<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 36</ref> Astral vision and science (astronomy and astrophysics) became integral to his work.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I/</ref> For him, the inner world was linked to the cosmos and he used theosophical symbols (sphinx, lotus etc.) and concepts (planetary chain, involution/evolution, ascent from matter to spirit, thought forms) in his paintings to depict the relationship between the universe and man.<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, pp.79-82 </ref>		In 1910, he announced that “he was preparing to state publicly his beliefs in theosophical principles and spiritualism.”<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 36</ref> Astral vision and science (astronomy and astrophysics) became integral to his work.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I/</ref> For him, the inner world was linked to the cosmos and he used theosophical symbols (sphinx, lotus etc.) and concepts (planetary chain, involution/evolution, ascent from matter to spirit, thought forms) in his paintings to depict the relationship between the universe and man.<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, pp.79-82 </ref>

Malini Lavappa: /* Artistic Style and Career */

2026-06-04T02:05:10Z

Artistic Style and Career

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	'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>		'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>

	~~Soon after, in~~ Paris, he worked as an illustrator of books and posters gaining recognition for his satirical drawings. In 1906, he exhibited at the Salon de Automne. In 1907, he released his self-portrait called Yellow Scale~~. For Kupka, the musical scale was important and vibration was key~~. He called his works that blended color and music “Symmorphies”. ~~As referenced in his letters, he~~ was heavily influenced by ~~the writings~~ of Annie Besant including Man and His Bodies, Life After Death, Reicarnation, Karma, and Thought Forms.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I</ref> She said sound is always associated with color and those who have developed their inner senses can perceive the colors. He got involved with the Orphism movement, which explored the relationship between music and painting. Some saw Orphism as a step in the transition from cubism to abstraction.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism_(art)</ref>		In Paris, he also worked as an illustrator of books and posters gaining recognition for his satirical drawings. In 1906, he exhibited at the Salon de Automne. In 1907, he released his self-portrait called Yellow Scale. He called his works that blended color and music “Symmorphies”. He was heavily influenced by books of Annie Besant including Man and His Bodies, Life After Death, Reicarnation, Karma, and Thought Forms.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I</ref> She said sound is always associated with color and those who have developed their inner senses can perceive the colors. He got involved with the Orphism movement, which explored the relationship between music and painting. Some saw Orphism as a step in the transition from cubism to abstraction.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism_(art)</ref>

	In 1910, he announced that “he was preparing to state publicly his beliefs in theosophical principles and spiritualism.”<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 36</ref> Astral vision and science (astronomy and astrophysics) became integral to his work.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I/</ref> For him, the inner world was linked to the cosmos and he used theosophical symbols (sphinx, lotus etc.) and concepts (planetary chain, involution/evolution, ascent from matter to spirit, thought forms) in his paintings to depict the relationship between the universe and man.<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, pp.79-82 </ref>		In 1910, he announced that “he was preparing to state publicly his beliefs in theosophical principles and spiritualism.”<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 36</ref> Astral vision and science (astronomy and astrophysics) became integral to his work.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I/</ref> For him, the inner world was linked to the cosmos and he used theosophical symbols (sphinx, lotus etc.) and concepts (planetary chain, involution/evolution, ascent from matter to spirit, thought forms) in his paintings to depict the relationship between the universe and man.<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, pp.79-82 </ref>

Malini Lavappa: /* Early Life and Education */

2026-06-04T01:58:10Z

Early Life and Education

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	'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>		'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>

	František Kupka was born on September 23, 1871, in Opocno in eastern Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). He was inspired by stained glass and gothic cathedrals at an early age. During his childhood in Boehemia, he apprenticed for a saddler who was a spiritualist and led a secret society.<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 35</ref> Kupka was drawn to spirituality and became a medium. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague from 1889 to 1892, ~~and~~ then moved to Vienna to study at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste. He was stimulated by artists and the environment in Vienna, and this is where he first got involved with Theosophy and eastern religions.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/František_Kupka</ref>		František Kupka was born on September 23, 1871, in Opocno in eastern Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). He was inspired by stained glass and gothic cathedrals at an early age. During his childhood in Boehemia, he apprenticed for a saddler who was a spiritualist and led a secret society.<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 35</ref> Kupka was drawn to spirituality and became a medium. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague from 1889 to 1892, where he first began to work with geometrics, starting with vertical works in a rhythmic force. He then moved to Vienna to study at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste. During his training, Kupka initially painted historical and patriotic themes; and then began to explore subjects that were symbolic or allegorical. His first exhibition was at the Kunstverein in Vienna in 1894. He was stimulated by artists and the environment in Vienna, and this is where he first got involved with Theosophy and eastern religions.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/František_Kupka</ref>

	== Theosophical influences ==		== Theosophical influences ==

Malini Lavappa: /* Artistic Style and Career */

2026-06-04T01:53:20Z

Artistic Style and Career

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:53, 4 June 2026
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	== Artistic Style and Career ==		== Artistic Style and Career ==
	'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>		'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>

	Kupka began to work with geometrics when he was 18, starting with vertical works in a rhythmic force. During his training, Kupka initially painted historical and patriotic themes; and then began to explore subjects that were symbolic or allegorical. His first exhibition was at the Kunstverein in Vienna in 1894.

	Soon after, in Paris, he worked as an illustrator of books and posters gaining recognition for his satirical drawings. In 1906, he exhibited at the Salon de Automne. In 1907, he released his self-portrait called Yellow Scale. For Kupka, the musical scale was important and vibration was key. He called his works that blended color and music “Symmorphies”. As referenced in his letters, he was heavily influenced by the writings of Annie Besant including Man and His Bodies, Life After Death, Reicarnation, Karma, and Thought Forms.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I</ref> She said sound is always associated with color and those who have developed their inner senses can perceive the colors. He got involved with the Orphism movement, which explored the relationship between music and painting. Some saw Orphism as a step in the transition from cubism to abstraction.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism_(art)</ref>		Soon after, in Paris, he worked as an illustrator of books and posters gaining recognition for his satirical drawings. In 1906, he exhibited at the Salon de Automne. In 1907, he released his self-portrait called Yellow Scale. For Kupka, the musical scale was important and vibration was key. He called his works that blended color and music “Symmorphies”. As referenced in his letters, he was heavily influenced by the writings of Annie Besant including Man and His Bodies, Life After Death, Reicarnation, Karma, and Thought Forms.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I</ref> She said sound is always associated with color and those who have developed their inner senses can perceive the colors. He got involved with the Orphism movement, which explored the relationship between music and painting. Some saw Orphism as a step in the transition from cubism to abstraction.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism_(art)</ref>

Malini Lavappa at 01:48, 4 June 2026

2026-06-04T01:48:58Z

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	'''František Kupka''' was a Czech painter and illustrator who was involved with [[Theosophy]] and Eastern philosophy. With [[Wassily Kandinsky]], [[Piet Mondrian]], and others, he established a movement of non-representational abstract art.		'''František Kupka''' was a Czech painter and illustrator who was involved with [[Theosophy]] and Eastern philosophy. With [[Wassily Kandinsky]], [[Piet Mondrian]], and others, he established a movement of non-representational abstract art.

	== ~~Personal~~ Life and Education ==		== Early Life and Education ==
	'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>		'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>

	František Kupka was born on September 23, 1871, in Opocno in eastern Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). He was inspired by stained glass and gothic cathedrals at an early age. During his childhood in Boehemia, he apprenticed for a saddler who was a spiritualist and led a secret society.<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 35</ref> Kupka was drawn to spirituality and became a medium. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague from 1889 to 1892, and then moved to Vienna to study at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste. He was stimulated by artists and the environment in Vienna, and this is where he first got involved with Theosophy and eastern religions.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/František_Kupka</ref> He was an avid meditator and vegetarian. He passed away on June 24,1957. His funeral was held in a secret place by a secret society.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref>		František Kupka was born on September 23, 1871, in Opocno in eastern Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). He was inspired by stained glass and gothic cathedrals at an early age. During his childhood in Boehemia, he apprenticed for a saddler who was a spiritualist and led a secret society.<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 35</ref> Kupka was drawn to spirituality and became a medium. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague from 1889 to 1892, and then moved to Vienna to study at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste. He was stimulated by artists and the environment in Vienna, and this is where he first got involved with Theosophy and eastern religions.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/František_Kupka</ref>

	== Theosophical influences ==		== Theosophical influences ==
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	By 1912, his work took on a more poetic and internal vision of life and nature. Kupka worked in series, similar to musical composers, with each drawing revealing his keen interest in motion and perception. Like other artists, he employed dematerialization <ref>"Transcending the Visible: The Generation of the Abstract Pioneers", Sixten Ringbom, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 146 </ref> in some of his series and the work became more abstract with the play of form (color, light, and composition). He began writing a book on the nature of art (La Creation dans Les arts plastiques) which was eventually published in 1923. It revealed that he had read Blavatsky’s The Secret Doctrine and works by Rudolf Steiner.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref> He became a founding member of the Abstract-Creation group in 1931. In 1936, his work was included in an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. His work was included in exhibits with other Czech artists. In the 1950s, his work was generally recognized and he had several solo exhibits in NY.		By 1912, his work took on a more poetic and internal vision of life and nature. Kupka worked in series, similar to musical composers, with each drawing revealing his keen interest in motion and perception. Like other artists, he employed dematerialization <ref>"Transcending the Visible: The Generation of the Abstract Pioneers", Sixten Ringbom, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 146 </ref> in some of his series and the work became more abstract with the play of form (color, light, and composition). He began writing a book on the nature of art (La Creation dans Les arts plastiques) which was eventually published in 1923. It revealed that he had read Blavatsky’s The Secret Doctrine and works by Rudolf Steiner.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref> He became a founding member of the Abstract-Creation group in 1931. In 1936, his work was included in an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. His work was included in exhibits with other Czech artists. In the 1950s, his work was generally recognized and he had several solo exhibits in NY.

			He was an avid meditator and vegetarian. He passed away on June 24,1957. His funeral was held in a secret place by a secret society.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref>

	== Additional resources ==		== Additional resources ==

Malini Lavappa at 01:42, 4 June 2026

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 František Kupka was born on September 23, 1871, in Opocno in eastern Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). He was inspired by stained glass and gothic cathedrals at an early age. During his childhood in Boehemia, he apprenticed for a saddler who was a spiritualist and led a secret society.<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 35</ref> Kupka was drawn to spirituality and became a medium. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague from 1889 to 1892, and then moved to Vienna to study at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste. He was stimulated by artists and the environment in Vienna, and this is where he first got involved with Theosophy and eastern religions.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/František_Kupka</ref>   He was an avid meditator and vegetarian. He passed away on June 24,1957. His funeral was held in a secret place by a secret society.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref>
 == Theosophical influences ==
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 Associations between colors and musical notes were of great interest to Kupka and Kandinsky, and the color chards in the Besant-Leadbeater book [[Thought Forms (book)|''Thought Forms'']] were influential. Kupka explored relationships science, the spiritual, and music in works like the '''''Disks of Newton''''' or ''Study for 'Fugue in Two Colors''', painted in 1912.
 == Additional resources ==

Malini Lavappa: /* Artistic Style and Career */

2026-06-04T01:34:36Z

Artistic Style and Career

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	Kupka began to work with geometrics when he was 18, starting with vertical works in a rhythmic force. During his training, Kupka initially painted historical and patriotic themes; and then began to explore subjects that were symbolic or allegorical. His first exhibition was at the Kunstverein in Vienna in 1894.		Kupka began to work with geometrics when he was 18, starting with vertical works in a rhythmic force. During his training, Kupka initially painted historical and patriotic themes; and then began to explore subjects that were symbolic or allegorical. His first exhibition was at the Kunstverein in Vienna in 1894.

	Soon after, in Paris, he worked as an illustrator of books and posters gaining recognition for his satirical drawings. In 1906, he exhibited at the Salon de Automne. ~~The following year~~, he released his self-portrait called Yellow Scale. For Kupka, the musical scale was important and vibration was key. He called his works that blended color and music “Symmorphies”. As referenced in his ~~postal notes~~, he was heavily influenced by the writings of Annie Besant including Man and His Bodies, Life After Death, Reicarnation, Karma, and Thought Forms.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I</ref> She said sound is always associated with color and those who have developed their inner senses can perceive the colors. He got involved with the Orphism movement, which explored the relationship between music and painting. Some saw Orphism as a step in the transition from cubism to abstraction.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism_(art)</ref>		Soon after, in Paris, he worked as an illustrator of books and posters gaining recognition for his satirical drawings. In 1906, he exhibited at the Salon de Automne. In 1907, he released his self-portrait called Yellow Scale. For Kupka, the musical scale was important and vibration was key. He called his works that blended color and music “Symmorphies”. As referenced in his letters, he was heavily influenced by the writings of Annie Besant including Man and His Bodies, Life After Death, Reicarnation, Karma, and Thought Forms.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I</ref> She said sound is always associated with color and those who have developed their inner senses can perceive the colors. He got involved with the Orphism movement, which explored the relationship between music and painting. Some saw Orphism as a step in the transition from cubism to abstraction.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism_(art)</ref>

	In 1910, he announced that “he was preparing to state publicly his beliefs in theosophical principles and spiritualism.”<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 36</ref> Astral vision and science (astronomy and astrophysics) became integral to his work.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I/</ref> For him, the inner world was linked to the cosmos and he used theosophical symbols (sphinx, lotus etc.) and concepts (planetary chain, involution/evolution, ascent from matter to spirit, thought forms) in his paintings to depict the relationship between the universe and man.<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, pp.79-82 </ref>		In 1910, he announced that “he was preparing to state publicly his beliefs in theosophical principles and spiritualism.”<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 36</ref> Astral vision and science (astronomy and astrophysics) became integral to his work.<ref>See SASIG #19: Prof. Fay Breuer presents Composing “Symmorphies”: Frantisek Kupka’s Chromatic Music, September 21, 2024, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cDnxqUGrL1I/</ref> For him, the inner world was linked to the cosmos and he used theosophical symbols (sphinx, lotus etc.) and concepts (planetary chain, involution/evolution, ascent from matter to spirit, thought forms) in his paintings to depict the relationship between the universe and man.<ref>"Sacred Geometry: French Symbolism and Early Abstraction", Robert P. Welsh, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, pp.79-82 </ref>

Malini Lavappa: /* Personal Life and Education */

2026-06-04T01:20:08Z

Personal Life and Education

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	'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>		'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>

	František Kupka was born on September 23, 1871, in Opocno in eastern Bohemia (now the Czech Republic)~~to a family of modest means~~. ~~Kupka~~ was inspired by stained glass and gothic cathedrals at an early age. During his childhood in Boehemia, he apprenticed for a saddler who was a spiritualist and led a secret society.<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 35</ref> Kupka was drawn to spirituality and became a medium. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague from 1889 to 1892, and then moved to Vienna to study at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste. He was stimulated by artists and the environment in Vienna, and this is where he first got involved with Theosophy and eastern religions.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/František_Kupka</ref> ~~In 1894, he moved to Paris. He served as a volunteer in World War I. In 1906, he settled in Puteaux, a suburb of Paris.~~ He was an avid meditator and vegetarian. He passed away on June 24,1957. His funeral was held in a secret place by a secret society.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref>		František Kupka was born on September 23, 1871, in Opocno in eastern Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). He was inspired by stained glass and gothic cathedrals at an early age. During his childhood in Boehemia, he apprenticed for a saddler who was a spiritualist and led a secret society.<ref>"Hidden Meanings in Abstract Art", Maurice Tuchman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 35</ref> Kupka was drawn to spirituality and became a medium. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague from 1889 to 1892, and then moved to Vienna to study at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste. He was stimulated by artists and the environment in Vienna, and this is where he first got involved with Theosophy and eastern religions.<ref>See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/František_Kupka</ref> He was an avid meditator and vegetarian. He passed away on June 24,1957. His funeral was held in a secret place by a secret society.<ref> "Chronologies: Artists and the Spiritual", Judi Freeman, The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985, as organized by Maurice Tuchman, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 408</ref>


	== Artistic Style and Career ==		== Artistic Style and Career ==