We offer you a limited edition of only 50 pieces.
495 Kč vč. DPH (409.09 Kč without TAX)
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Description:
This year, we have dedicated the calendar for 2026 to the artistic work of our long-time colleague, friend and, above all, an excellent professional engraver of Státní tiskárna cenin, Martin Srb. His work combines artisanal precision with an extraordinary sense of aesthetics. We are therefore proud that his work will accompany our days and yours throughout the upcoming year. Special thanks also go to those who provided documentation or consent for the use of artwork in the calendar. They are: RNDr. Adolf Absolon, Czech National Bank, Česká pošta, s.p., České dukáty, a.s., academic painter Eva Hašková, J. and L. Knotek, the family of Oldřich Kulhánek and VIZE 97. Their helpfulness and support are a valuable expression of trust and cooperation across institutions and individuals.
The calendar includes an inserted graphic sheet with a steel engraving of the portrait of Alois Rašín from the commemorative banknote of the Czech National Bank with a nominal value of 100 CZK. The banknote issued on 31 January 2019 was the first Commemorative Banknote to mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Czechoslovak currency and the first Commemorative Banknote in the history of our country.
Martin Srb
(*1954, Prague)
To put it simply, the work by Martin Srb is based on lines. The artist first uses them to create study line drawings, which are a true copy of the chosen model and a necessary basis for processing of its motif in another form. Srb’s mastery lies in his ability to prepare a work by Václav Hollar, Rembrandt or any other artist for a future engraving with the help of lines. Only then comes the author’s most important working tool – the burin. With this subtle tool, he “processes” the pre-prepared lines and after many hours of careful work, the desired engraving emerges.
Originally, Martin Srb, a member of the Association of Czech Graphic Artists HOLLAR Prague and holder of many domestic and foreign awards, wanted to become a restorer. Nevertheless, he started his professional career in 1971 as a medallist. His dream, however, was to become a graphic artist, he was fascinated by the technique of steel engraving, which is why at the end of the 1980s he joined Státní tiskárna cenin (STC). In the archives of the printing house he familiarized himself with the works by artists who have collaborated with the company on the creation of banknotes since the establishment of our republic. At the same time, Martin Srb began creating engravings for the academic painter Josef Liesler based on his paintings. He also greatly appreciated the opportunity to study Václav Hollar’s prints at the National Gallery.
Martin Srb has been involved in the creation of Czech postage stamps since 1989, and has created more than 150 stamps with the same number of engravings for the first day covers (FDC). In 1992-1995, he participated in the creation of engravings for the Canadian Bank Note Company (CBN) in Ottawa, where securities issued in the Czech Republic were printed. Martin Srb is one of the important engravers of the Czech engraving school, most of whom worked for STC, too, e.g. Wolf, Heinz, Schmidt, Jirka, Ondráček, and others.
Martin Srb still works for STC as a designer and engraver; he specializes in portrait engraving. Srb’s works are also presented in group and solo exhibitions.
PhDr. Blanka Frajerová
Ve dvojjazyčném kalendáři (CZ, EN) naleznete tyto motivy u jednotlivých měsíců:
January
Line drawing of a portrait of Alois Rašín designed by the academic painter Eva Hašková for the Commemorative 100 CZK Banknote, 2018.
February
Drawing of an angel, created for the printing of the Czech Republic’s bond, according to the statue in front of the Rudolfinum in Prague, 1996.
March
Drawing of the owl motif designed by Mr. and Mrs. Knotek. The engraving was used for FDC – European Owl issue by the Czech Post, 2015.
April
Line drawing for the issue of postage stamps titled “Prague Motifs” issued by Czech Post, 2020.
May
Engraving of Jan Nepomuk Count of Harrach (1828-1909), Czech nobleman and patron of Czech culture, 2009.
June
Engraving based on the sculpture of Genius with a Lion (also called Světlonoš – English: Torchbearer) located on the CNB building by sculptor Antonín Popp, 2012.
July
Portrait drawing of Diego de Guzman by Paul Pontius, for a stamp sheet published by the Czech Post, 2018.
August
Engraving according to a portrait of a girl by Alfons Mucha from a CZK 10 treasury note from 1919, 2012.
September
Drawing for FDC by the author RNDr. Adolf Absolon for the issue of Lužní lesy (English: Riparian Forests), published by the Czech Post, 2011.
October
Engraving of the statue of St. Wenceslas on horseback by Václav Myslbek, 2025.
November
Portrait of Václav Havel based on the design by the academic painter Eva Hašková for a Commemorative Banknote, 2021.
December
Double portrait of Clara Schumann and Karel Marx from Oldřich Kulhánek’s Funny Money collection, 2024.
Buy a gift for yourself or your loved ones. The limited edition calendar with just 50 production copies is available exclusively from the STC e-shop.
Additional information
Weight 0.6 kg
Dimensions 297×420 mm
Printing technique: Offset, Intaglio printing, Blind printing
