Strawberries, Study

The sketch in lively pastose colours was inspired by the last strophe of the lyrical poem Strawberries from the so-called Dvůr Králové manuscript (Královédvorský rukopis). In 1932 F. X. Harlas published in the catalogue of the generation of the National Theatre another sketch (today lost) with a detailed description and a large lunette with the same title. These two illustrate, however, a different verse from the poem. The National Gallery in Prague acquired the lunette, with Ženíšek’s name on the back, from Ženíšek’s estate; however, discussions about its authorship are still going on, as many art historians are convinced that its author was Ženíšek’s friend and collaborator Josef Tulka.