Václav Fiala (Czech, 1896-1980)

Václav Fiala was a Czech painter, illustrator, graphic artist, typographer, and curator. He began his fine art education at the Private School of Painting in Vienna (1910-1911), then continued his studies in Kharkiv (1911-1915) and St Petersburg (1915-1916). Fiala remained in Russia until 1922 and upon his return to Prague, he completed his education at the Academy of Fine Art in Prague (1923-1926).

As a graduate, he was awarded a scholarship on which he travelled to Paris. In 1927 Václav Fiala took part in the Salon des Artistes Français, thus gaining recognition in the Paris artistic circles.

Fiala exhibited both at home and abroad, gaining recognition and prizes. At the International Exhibition of Art and Technology (Paris, 1937) he was awarded a silver medal.

In 1938 Fiala created a diorama titled The Inauguration of George Washington 1789 for the Czechoslovak pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair.