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{{Short description|Czech photographer}}
{{BLP sources|date=November 2015}}
{{Promotional|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = Jan Saudek
| image         = File:Jan Saudek (2024).jpg
| caption       = Jan Saudek (2024)
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1935|05|13|df=y}}
| birth_place   = [[Prague]], [[Czechoslovakia]]
| nationality   = Czech
| occupation    = Art photographer, painter
| notable_works = ''The World of Jan Saudek: Photographs'', Jan Saudek-Il teatro de la vita, ''Story from, Czechoslovakia, My Country'', and ''Photographs'' by Jan Saudek
}}
'''Jan Saudek''' (born 13 May 1935) is an [[Fine art photography|art photographer]] and painter.

==Life==
Saudek and his [[Kája Saudek|twin brother Karel]] (also known as Kája) were born to a Slavic (Czech) mother and [[Jew]]ish father in Prague in 1935.<ref name="radio_2001-12-16"/> Their mother's family came to Prague from [[Bohemia]], and their father from the city of [[Děčín]] in the northwest part of that area. During World War II and after the invasion of the German [[Nazis]], both sides of his family were  racially persecuted by the invaders. Many of his Jewish relatives died in [[Theresienstadt concentration camp]] during the war. Their father Gustav was deported to Theresienstadt concentration camp in February 1945. Although their mother and many other relatives died, both sons and father survived the war. A Communist-dominated government gained power after the war to rule the country, enforced by the [[Soviet Union]] and considered to be behind the [[Iron Curtain]].

According to Saudek's biography, he acquired his first camera, a [[Brownie (camera)|Kodak Baby Brownie]], in 1950. He apprenticed to a photographer, and in 1952 started working in a print shop; he was restricted to this work by the Communist government until 1983. In 1959, he started using the more advanced [[Flexaret|Flexaret 6x6]] camera, and also engaged in painting and drawing. After completing his military service, he was inspired in 1963 by the catalogue for American photographer [[Edward Steichen]]'s ''[[The Family of Man]]'' exhibition, and began to work to become a serious art photographer. In 1969, Saudek traveled to the United States, where he was encouraged in his work by curator [[Hugh Edwards (photographer)|Hugh Edwards]] of the [[Art Institute of Chicago]].

Returning to [[Prague]], Saudek had to work at his photography clandestinely in a cellar, to avoid the attentions of the secret police. With his work turning to themes of personal erotic freedom, he used implicitly political symbols of corruption and innocence. From the late 1970s, he became recognized in the West as the leading Czech photographer, and also developed a following among photographers in his own country.<ref name="JS"/> In 1983, the first book of Saudek's work was published in the English-speaking world. The same year, he became a freelance photographer; the Czech [[Communist]] authorities allowed him to stop working in the print shop, and gave him permission to apply for a permit to work as an artist. In 1987, the archives of his negatives were seized by the police, but later returned.

During the 2000s Saudek lost all his photo negatives in a dispute with a former partner. The pictures were managed and displayed by Saudek.com, his son’s company, against Jan’s will. In 2012 [[Judiciary of the Czech Republic#Courts|High Court in Prague]] invalidated contracts between Jan and Saudek.com, effectively returning control over the works to the artist.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Velinger |first1=Jan |title=Photographer Saudek wins back rights to his work |url=https://english.radio.cz/photographer-saudek-wins-back-rights-his-work-8553504 |access-date=21 July 2024 |work=Radio Prague International |publisher=[[Radio Prague|Radio Prague International]] |date=15 June 2012 |language=en |archive-date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418172455/https://english.radio.cz/photographer-saudek-wins-back-rights-his-work-8553504 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bezr |first1=Ondřej |title=Jan Saudek vyhrál nad expartnerkou soud. Jeho snímky mu opět patří |url=https://www.idnes.cz/kultura/vytvarne-umeni/saudek-vyhral-spor-s-expartnerkou-sarou.A120612_151517_vytvarneum_ob |access-date=21 July 2024 |work=iDNES.cz |publisher=[[Mafra (company)|iDNES.cz]] |date=12 June 2012 |language=Czech |archive-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721174837/https://www.idnes.cz/kultura/vytvarne-umeni/saudek-vyhral-spor-s-expartnerkou-sarou.A120612_151517_vytvarneum_ob |url-status=live }}</ref>

Saudek lives and works in Prague. His brother [[Kája Saudek]] was also an artist, the best-known Czech [[graphic novel]]ist.<ref name="radio_2001-12-16"/>{{Citation needed|date=November 2015}}<ref name="FLCC"/>

==Work==
[[File:Poster JAN SAUDEK.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Poster for a film by [[Adolf Zika]]: ''Jan Saudek: Bound by Passion'' (2008).]]
His best-known work is notable for its hand-tinted portrayal of painterly dream worlds, often inhabited by nude or semi-nude figures surrounded by bare plaster walls or painted backdrops. He frequently re-uses elements (for instance, a clouded sky or a view of Prague's [[Charles Bridge]]). In this his photographs suggest the studio and [[Tableaux Vivant|tableaux]] works of mid-19th century erotic photographers, as well as the works of the 20th-century painter [[Balthus]], and of [[Bernard Faucon]].

Saudek's early art photography is noted{{By whom|date=November 2015}} for its evocation of childhood. His later works often portrayed the evolution from child to adult (re-photographing the same composition/pose, and with the same subjects, over many years). Religious motifs and the ambiguity between man and woman have also been some of Saudek's recurring themes. During the 1990s, his work at times generated censorship attempts in the West because of its provocative sexual content.

Saudek's imagery has sometimes had a mixed reception internationally. He gained early shows in 1969 and 1970 in the United States. In Australia, in June–July 1977 his work was welcomed by curator [[Jennie Boddington]] at the [[National Gallery of Victoria]],<ref name=":0">''The Age'', 03 June 1977, p.45</ref> who sent the show to the [[Australian Centre for Photography]] in August,<ref name=":1">''The Sydney Morning Herald'', 10 September 1977, p.39</ref> in the Centre's third year. Both shows were accompanied by the same exhibition of four young Australian photographers. ''Jan Saudek: Story from Czechoslovakia, My Country'', then appeared again in Melbourne at [[Church Street Photographic Centre]] in December and was reviewed favourably by women's activist [[Beatrice Faust]].<ref>Faust, Beatrice, 'No way to avoid a photograph's reality' The Age, 15 December 1977p.2</ref> [[Shepparton]] Civic Centre showed ''Photographic images 1956-1981 by Jan Saudek'' in June–July 1982,<ref>'Weekender' listings, The Age, 25 June 1982 p.48</ref> followed by [[Benalla Art Gallery]] in September 1982.<ref>'Weekender' Listings The Age 10 Sep 1982 p.37</ref> Decades later, by contrast, his photograph ''Black Sheep & White Crow,'' which features a semi-naked pre-pubescent girl, was removed from the Ballarat International Foto Biennale in [[Victoria, Australia]] just before the opening on 21 August 2011; objections had been made related to allegations of child prostitution for his subject.<ref name="PWCPC"/>

Saudek's photographs have been featured as covers for the albums of [[Anorexia Nervosa (band)|Anorexia Nervosa]] (''[[New Obscurantis Order]]''), [[Soul Asylum]] (''[[Grave Dancers Union]]''), [[Daniel Lanois]] (''[[For the Beauty of Wynona]]''), [[Rorschach (band)|Rorschach]] (''Remain Sedate''), and [[Beautiful South]] (''[[Welcome to the Beautiful South]]'').

==Publications==
* Jan Saudek-Photo, and Jiri Masin Milos Macourek, House of Lords of Kunštát, Brno, Czech Republic, 1970.
* ''The World of Jan Saudek: Photographs.'' Jacques Baruch Gallery, Chicago, IL, 1979.
* ''Jan Saudek-Il teatro della vita.'' Giuliana Scimè, Selezione d'Imagini, Monza, Italy, 1981.
* ''Story from, Czechoslovakia, My Country, and Photographs by Jan Saudek.'' Aperture Nr. 89, New York, 1982.
* ''The World of Jan Saudek.'' Anna Fárová, The Master Collection Book III, Rotovision, Geneva, Switzerland 1983.
* ''Images from, Czechoslovakia.'' [[University of Iowa Museum of Art]], Iowa City, IA, 1983.
* ''Story photo.'' Daniela Mrázková, Mlada Fronta, Prague, 1985.
* ''Jan Saudek-35 Jahre Photos / 35 Years of Photography.'' Manfred Heiting, Photography Forum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany 1986.
* ''50 Jahre moderne Farbfotografie.'' Manfred Heiting, [[Photokina 1986|Photokina]], Cologne, Germany 1986.
* ''Jan Saudek-200 Photographs 1953-1986.'' [[Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris]], Paris, 1987.
* ''20 Years of Czechoslovak Art: 1968-1988.'' Anne Baruch, Chicago, IL 1988.
* ''The Second Israeli Photography Biennal''e, Museum of Art, Ein Harod, Israel, 1988.
* ''Jan Saudek-100 Fotografías 1953-1986.'' Primavera Fotografica, Barcelona, Spain, 1988.
* ''Jan Saudek-Monsieur Nicole'' (fashion catalog "Matsuda"), New York 1989.1991 (?).
* ''Photographs Tschechoslowakische der Gegenwart.'' Edition Braus, Heidelberg, Germany, 1990.
* ''Jan Saudek-Life, Love, Death & Other Such Trifles.'' Art Unlimited, Amsterdam, 1991.
* ''Jan Saudek-Theatre of life.'' Daniela Mrázková, Panorama, Prague, 1991.
* ''Jan Saudek-l'amour.'' VIS & VIS Nr. 10, Paris, 1992.
* ''Jan Saudek, Galerie Municipale du Chateau d'Eau'', Toulouse, France, 1992.
* Photo La Collection de la FNAC, Calais des Estats de Bourgogne, Dijon, France 1993.
* ''Jan Saudek-life, love, death & other such trivia.'' Slovart, Prague, 1994.
* ''Jan Saudek-Jubilations and Obsessions.'' Rosbeek, Amsterdam, 1995.
* ''Jan Saudek-Letter.'' Sarah Saudek, Prague, 1995.
* ''The World of Jan Saudek 1959–1995.'' Museum of Art, Olomouc, Czech Republic, 1995.
* ''Jan Saudek 1895'' Krišal Gallery, Geneva, Switzerland, 1995.
* ''Photographie des 20. Jahrhunderts.'' Museum Ludwig, Taschen, Cologne, Germany 1996.
* ''Security and search in, Czech Republic photography of the 90s.'' Vl. Birgus / Mir.Vojtěchovský, Kant, Prague, 1996.
* ''The Photography Book.'' [[Phaidon Press]], London, 1997.
* ''Jan Saudek-Photographs 1987–1997.'' [[Taschen]], Cologne, Germany, 1997.
* ''The Body in Contemporary, Czech Republic Photography.'' Vl. Birgus Macintosh Gallery, Glasgow, Scotland, 1997.
* ''Jan Saudek.'' Christiane Fricke, Taschen , Cologne, Germany, 1998.
* ''From Sudek to Saudek''- Czech Photography in the 20th Century, The Eli Lemberger Museum of Photography, Tel-Hai, Israel, 1998.
* ''Masterpieces of Erotic Photography.'' [[Carlton Publishing Group|Carlton]], London, 1998.
* ''Jan Saudek three-Love.'' BB Art, Prague, 1998.
* ''Zärtliche Betrachtung schöner Damen-aus der Sammlung Photo Fritz Gruber.'' Wienand Verlag, Cologne, Germany, 1998.
* ''Absolut Originale, Absolit Originale Collection.'' Stockholm, Sweden, 1999.
* ''Jan Saudek 1959–1999.'' Mennour Gallery, Paris, 1999.
* ''Jan Saudek Single-married divorced widower.'' Slovart, Praha, Czech Republic, 2000.
* ''20th Century Photography.'' Museum Ludwig, Cologne, Germany 2001.
* ''Jan Saudek-Realities.'' Arena Edition, Santa Fe, NM, 2002.
* ''Czech and Slovak Photography 80s and 90s of the 20th century.'' the Art Museum, Olomouc, Czech Republic 2002.
* ''Absolut Generations.'' 50th [[Venice Biennale]], Venice, Italy 2003.
* ''Dictionary of, Czech Republicech and Slovak artists 1950–2004.'' Chagall Art Centre, Ostrava, Czech Republic 2004.
* ''Saudek.'' Daniela Mrázková, Slovart, Prague, 2005.
* ''The Best of Jan Saudek.'' Saudek.com, Prague, 2005.
* ''Chains of Love.'' Saudek.com, Prague, 2007.
* ''Evenings with a photographer.'' IDIF, Prague, 2007.
* ''ACP-learn creative shooting.'' Zoner Press, Brno, Czech Republic, 2007.
* ''2006/2007 National Theatre.'' Gallery, Prague, 2007.
* ''Jan Saudek'' (1998, [[Taschen]]) {{ISBN|3-8228-7916-9}}.
*''Pouta lásky'' (Chains of Love). [Saudek.com] {{ISBN|80-239-8225-7}}.
*''Saudek''. Prague: Slovart. {{ISBN|80-7209-727-X}}.
* Saudek, Jan: ''Ženatý, svobodný, rozvedený, vdovec''. Prague: Slovart, 2000. {{ISBN|80-7209-701-6}}.
* Saudek, Jan: ''Národní divadlo 2006/07.'' National Theatre 2006/07 Season. Prague: Národní divadlo, 2007. {{ISBN|9788072582716}}.

==Films and radio==
* ''Jan Saudek: Prague Printemps'' (1990). (26-minute film by [[Jerome de Missolz]] about Saudek).
* ''Jan Saudek: Bound by Passion'' (2008). (feature-length film by [[Adolf Zika]] about Saudek).
* ''Saudek Brothers Documentary'', [[Czech Radio]], 2001<ref name="radio_2001-12-16"/>

==Solo exhibitions==
{{BLP sources section|date=August 2022}}
1963
*  Divadlo Na zábradlí, Prague, Czech Republic<ref name="ZEJS"/> 
1969
* [[Indiana University Bloomington]], Bloomington, IN
1976
* Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
* Jacques Baruch Gallery, Chicago, IL
1977
* [[Australian Centre for Photography]], Sydney, Australia<ref name=":1" />
* National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia<ref name=":0" />
* RIP, Arles, France
1978
* Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati, OH
1979
*G. Ray Hawkins Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
1980
*FNAC - Montparnasse, Paris
*[[photokina 1980|photokina]], Cologne, Germany
1981
*Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati, OH
*Jacques Baruch Gallery, Chicago, IL
*Marcuse Pfeifer Gallery, New York
1984
* Musee National d'Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris
1985
* Münchner Stadtmuseum, München, Germany
1986
* [[Centre national de la photographie]], Paris
* Photography Forum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
1987
* Musee d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, Paris
1989
* Photography Forum Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
* Jan Kesner Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
1990
* Robert Koch Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
* Gallery Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan
* RIP, Arles, France
1991
* Musee National d'Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris
* Portfolio Gallery, London
1992
* Galerie Municipale du Chateau d'Eau, Toulouse, France
1993
* Month of Photography, Palffy Palace, Bratislava, Slovakia
1994
* Parco Gallery, Tokyo
1995
* A Gallery for fine photography, New Orleans, LA
1996
* Museum of Art, Olomouc, Czech Republic
1997
* Museo Ken Damy, Brescia, Italy
* Paris Photo, Krišal Gallery, Paris
1998
* Bergamot Station Art Center BGH Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
* Municipal House in Prague, Czech Republic
* The Museum of Photography, Tel-Hai, Israel
1999
* Paris Photo Gallery Mennour, Paris
* VB Photographic Centre, Kuopio, Finland
2000
* Carousel de Louvre, Paris Art Gallery Mennour, Paris
2001
* Comenius Museum, Naarden, Netherlands
* University of Nottingham
2003
* Broel Museum
* Biennale de Venise, Italy
* FIAC, Galerie K. Mennour, Paris
* Krišal Gallery, Geneve, Switzerland
2004
* Krišal Gallery, Geneve, Switzerland
* Lattuada Studio Gallery, Milan, Italy
2005
* House White Unicorn, Prague, Czech Republic
* Gallery of Photography Past Rays, Japan
* K. Mennour Gallery, Paris
2006
* International fotobienále, 6th edition, Moscow, Russia
* IN FOCUS Gallery, Cologne, Germany
2007
* Galerie Jan Saudek, Prague, Czech Republic
2008
* Velvet Gallery, Bojnice, Slovakia
* Royal Palace (along with JPWitkinem ([[Joel-Peter Witkin]]?)), Milan, Italy
2009
* Gallery Velvet Kelly, Žilina, Slovakia
* Monopoli-Castello Carlo V., Italy
2010
* Fotografija Gallery, Ljubljana, Slovenia
* Fotofestival Nordic Light, Kristiansund, Norway
* Kunsthandel gallery, Graz, Austria
* Nordic Light (int. Festival of photography) Kristiansund, Norway
* Fotografia Galerija, Ljubljana, Slovenia
2011
* Chamber Gallery U Schell, Budweis, Czech Republic
* Visio Art Gallery, Plzeň
* Mondo Bizzarro Gallery, Rome, Italy
* Phototheatron, Athens, Greece
* Galerie Esther Woerdehoff (group exhibition), Paris
* Ballarat Int. Photo Biennale, Melbourne, Australia
2012
* Int. Photofestival Spillimbergo & Udine, Italy Centres of Art, Tarnow, Poland
2013
* Blatenský Fotofestival, Blatná, Czech Republic<ref name="BF"/>
* Galerie Malá Synagoga, Trnava, Slovakia<ref name="MST"/>
2015: Valeria Rabbit Hole Art Room, Warsaw, Poland
2020: Malostranská beseda, Prague, Czech Republic<ref name="FAJSP"/>

==Collections==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=November 2015}}
Saudek's work is held in the following permanent collections:
* The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
* Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
* Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris
* International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House, Rochester, NY
* The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
* Moravian Gallery in Brno, Czech Republic
* Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, Paris
* Musée Paul Getty, Los Angeles, CA
* Museum Ludwig, Cologne, Germany
* National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Australia
* National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="radio_2001-12-16">{{cite web
| url = http://www.radio.cz/en/section/arts/saudek-brothers-documentary
| title = Saudek Brothers Documentary
| last = Asiedu
| first = Dita
| date = 16 December 2001
| publisher = [[Czech Radio]]
| accessdate = 25 August 2012
| archive-date = 27 February 2014
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140227101640/http://www.radio.cz/en/section/arts/saudek-brothers-documentary
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
 
<ref name="JS">{{cite web | url = https://www.widewalls.ch/artists/jan-saudek | title = Jan Saudek | last = Hess | first = Hugo | date = 22 October 2014 | publisher = WideWalls | accessdate = 18 August 2022 | archive-date = 19 October 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231019095920/https://www.widewalls.ch/artists/jan-saudek | url-status = live }}</ref>
 
<ref name="FLCC">{{cite web
| title = The "four-leaf clover" comics
| date = 28 February 2005
| url = http://www.radio.cz/en/article/63899
| publisher = Czech Radio
| accessdate = 7 June 2009
| archive-date = 20 October 2008
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081020191944/http://www.radio.cz/en/article/63899
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
 
<ref name="PWCPC">{{cite web | first = Gina | last = McCall | date = 22 August 2011 | title = Photo withdrawn after child prostitution claim | publisher = The Age | url = https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/photo-withdrawn-after-child-prostitution-claim-20110821-1j4td.html | access-date = 19 August 2022 | archive-date = 19 August 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220819113657/https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/photo-withdrawn-after-child-prostitution-claim-20110821-1j4td.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
 
<ref name="FAJSP">{{cite web
| first = Till
| last = Janzer
| date = 15 May 2020
| title = Foto-Ausstellung von Jan Saudek in Prag eröffnet
| language = de
| trans-title = Photo exhibition by Jan Saudek opened in Prague
| publisher = Radio Prague International
| url = https://deutsch.radio.cz/foto-ausstellung-von-jan-saudek-prag-eroeffnet-8100235
| access-date = 19 August 2022
| archive-date = 19 August 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220819115605/https://deutsch.radio.cz/foto-ausstellung-von-jan-saudek-prag-eroeffnet-8100235
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

<ref name="ZEJS">{{cite web | first = Josef | last = Chuchma | date = 20 March 2003 | title = Zraněný exhibicionista Jan Saudek | language = cs | trans-title = Wounded exhibitionist Jan Saudek | publisher = iDNES.cz | url = https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/revue/spolecnost/zraneny-exhibicionista-jan-saudek.A030319_195525_lidicky_pol | access-date = 22 August 2022 | archive-date = 22 August 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220822053834/https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/revue/spolecnost/zraneny-exhibicionista-jan-saudek.A030319_195525_lidicky_pol | url-status = live }}</ref>

<ref name="BF">{{cite web | title = Blatenský Fotofestival | year = 2013 | language = cs | url = https://www.fkamfo.cz/soubor/katalog-blatensky-fotofestival-2013-8r-pdf/ | publisher = Fotoklub Kamfo Blatná | accessdate = 22 August 2022 | archive-date = 22 August 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220822055403/https://www.fkamfo.cz/soubor/katalog-blatensky-fotofestival-2013-8r-pdf/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

<ref name="MST">{{cite web
| title = Malá synagóga v Trnave prináša výstavu fotografií Jana Saudeka
| trans-title = Malá synagóga in Trnava presents an exhibition of photographs by Jan Saudek
| date = 1 August 2013
| language = sk
| url = https://www.teraz.sk/import/trnava-saudek-vystava-fotografie/54121-clanok.html
| publisher = Teraz.sk
| accessdate = 22 August 2022
| archive-date = 22 August 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220822055401/https://www.teraz.sk/import/trnava-saudek-vystava-fotografie/54121-clanok.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Jan Saudek}}
* [http://www.saudekfilm.com www.saudekfilm.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124183429/http://saudekfilm.com/ |date=2020-11-24 }}

{{Authority control (arts)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saudek, Jan}}
[[Category:1935 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Photographers from Prague]]
[[Category:Czech erotic photographers]]
[[Category:Nude photographers]]
[[Category:Czech Jews]]
[[Category:Jewish concentration camp survivors]]
[[Category:Czech twins]]
[[Category:Recipients of Medal of Merit (Czech Republic)]]
[[Category:Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres]]