This highly imaginative work by František Janoušek, a solitary figure in Czech Surrealism whose work is unparalleled in the Central European context, is a monumental visual spectacle on canvas. Painting (The Heraldic One) includes all the typical features of Janoušek’s mature phase when at the pinnacle of his creative strength he succeeded in combining deep introspection with an acute reflection of the times that surrounded him. The work was created during the difficult war years, when the author fully developed his aggressive and emotionally charged form of Surrealism. Organic figures reminiscent of living beings undulate, grow, and writhe in a fantastical landscape. Stylised silhouettes full of protuberances, off-shoots and colourful membranes appear as beings from another world. In his earlier works, Janoušek developed a motif of the polarity between the feminine and masculine principles, which he recast as a raw, freely formed allegory. Deprived of an unequivocal anchoring, space became a place of dreaming, where everything breathes and vibrates with unease. The markedly biomorphic painting renders the internal landscape to which the painter escaped from the oppressive reality of occupied Europe and where he could give form to his nightmares, fears, and longing for meaning. Painting (The Heraldic One) thus epitomises the unique style of an artist who, though isolated in his day, numbers among the most important figures of the Czech avant-garde due to his visual power and originality. The value of the work is increased by its presentation in most of the author’s solo exhibitions (František Janoušek: Posthumous Exhibition of Painted Works, Mánes Association of Fine Arts, Prague, December 1947, cat.  no. 93 under the title Obraz [Painting]; František Janoušek, 1890 – 1943: Painted Works, Central Bohemian Gallery, Nelahozeves Castle, 21 August – 31 October 1965, cat. no. 104 under the title Ten heraldický [The Heraldic One]; František Janoušek: Painted Works, Mánes Association of Fine Arts, Prague, 18 January – 13 February 1966, cat. no. 68, Ten heraldický [The Heraldic One]; František Janoušek: Paintings and Drawings 1929 – 1942, House of Arts Brno, 21 May – 30 June 1985, cat. no. 75) and reproduced in a monograph (J. Chalupecký: František Janoušek, Prague 1991, p. 194, fig. 121). The painting appears in the family catalogue under the number 288/18 and will be included in the inventory of works in Mgr. E. Vele’s forthcoming monograph. Assessed in consultation with Prof. J. Zemina and PhDr. K. Srp. The expert opinion of Mgr. E. Vele is attached.