[Leica] IMG: Last group from Cesky Krumlov

[Peter Klein]

On our second day in Cesky Krumlov, the weather was iffy, and the light 
was like a soft box rather than bright sun.  We still managed to see the 
town.  When it rained, we ducked into a museum devoted to the works of 
the early 20th century Expressionist Egon Schiele, who spent a lot of 
time in Cesky Krumlov. No photographs were allowed there, but I want to 
share something about the museum with you.  The exhibit pairs several 
photographic views of the town with Schiele's paintings of them.  What 
he saw contrasted with how it made him feel.  A very effective way to 
get into the artist's head.

There was also an exhibit of the Czech artist Vera Novakova (born 1928). 
It drove home how even though the post-war Czech Communist regime was 
considered less repressive than the Soviet Union, conditions for free 
thinkers were still pretty bleak.  For years, Novakova was prevented 
from finishing her art studies after WWII because she and her family 
were "politically unreliable." Even after getting permission to support 
herself with her art, she was still forbidden to exhibit.

<http://www.artforgood.cz/en/umelec/vera-novakova>
<http://www.artforgood.cz/en/virtualni-prohlidky/vera-novakova-kampak-a-odkud>
see especially "Thus Passes the Glory of the World (Sic Transit Gloria 
Mundi)

On to my pictures.  We climbed up the castle tower, and saw some 
beautiful views of the town.
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563@N04/35950230360/in/dateposted-public/> 
(Click photo to enlarge, note the blocky Soviet-style apartment 
buildings at the upper right, in contrast to the old town in the foreground)
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563@N04/36347134595/in/dateposted-public/>
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563@N04/35950230260/in/dateposted-public/>

Here is a young woman selling Trdelník, a cylindrical pastry rolled in 
cinnamon, sugar and (often) crushed walnuts:
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563@N04/35511228504/in/dateposted-public/>

Street scene from the old town:
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563@N04/36347134335/in/dateposted-public/>

The old doorway of a Pension, with  self-portrait added for good measure:
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563@N04/35950230160/in/dateposted-public/>

Into the light, from a very narrow alleyway:
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563@N04/35950230010/in/dateposted-public/>

Next stop, Prague.  Enjoy!
--Peter