On the way up into the hills towards the picturesque Provençal town where the artist has lived since 1958, one cannot fail to notice the giant posters inviting the exhibition entitled FRANTA – The human condition (Human destiny).
From January 24 to May 24, 2026, the Musée Fondation Émile Hugues presents his extensive retrospective. Today, he enjoys recognition there in the same way as before, for example, Henri Matisse. That is why, after the exhibition at Prague Castle in February 2025, where he presented his work spanning seven decades, he decided to donate some of his works to the city of Vence.
In conjunction with the extensive retrospective, the museum inaugurated a new permanent exhibition space, “Espace Franta“. Joining the museum’s permanent collection, this holding offers an in-depth look at several decades of the artist’s work. Its foundation is deeply humanistic works, the creation of which was fueled by an incessant reflection on human fate, memory, the violence of systems of domination and the ability of individuals to resist all of the aforementioned.
Thanks to the exhibition, Franta became the first Czech painter to receive such recognition in France.
The opening was full
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The vernissage last week already testified that he is not “only” a Czech artist. Many art lovers, collectors from all over France and the Czech Republic, journalists and the local Czech community gathered in front of the museum. Together with the artist, the mayors of Vence and Třebíč also shook hands there.
“Dear Franto, I am very proud that Vence can permanently exhibit your works, I want to express my deep gratitude for this. Your generous donation enriches the permanent collection of the museum and the heritage of the municipality and is a valuable legacy for future generations,” mayor Régis Lebigre solemnly thanked him. He immediately described him as “one of the greatest living painters and sculptors, whose main theme is human destiny”.
Franta, who continues to paint even in his advanced age, then talked about his artistic mission accompanied by his petite wife Jacqueline.
Photo: Jan Handrejch, Novinky
A retrospective exhibition of the work of František Mertl (pictured) called Franta, who has been living and creating in the south of France since 1958, took place in Prague last year.
“Painting is very beautiful. But for me it’s important to stimulate people to think about world events. That’s why it’s crucial to exhibit and share my work with others. In this way, I’m trying to find an answer to a question I’ve been asking myself for a long time: how is it possible for a man to create absolutely wonderful things and yet be capable of absolutely terrifying acts?’ stated among other things.
I then asked him why he dedicated some of his most valuable paintings and sculptures to Vence.
He did not hesitate to answer: “It is true that I have had the extraordinary opportunity to live here. The city has a special genius loci. It once attracted masters such as Matisse and Chagall. Although many of my paintings are housed in important world institutions, such as the UNESCO collection in Paris, I wanted people here, in a place that inspired me so much, to have access to my work. I feel it is a sign of gratitude to a place that has played such an important role in my artistic growth.”
Humanistic concept
And that there is something to look at. His work is timely due to its sensitivity to the beauty and horror of human existence, which are affected by the political, technical and consumerist pressures of contemporary society. His canvases are not only a testimony of cruel injustice, but also a call to solidarity with people in danger.
Trying to understand the drama of human destiny, Franta holds up a mirror to a world full of violence, delivering a cautionary message that resonates with the uncertainty of the modern world. It can authentically and truthfully capture the world as it is. His work does not belong to any particular artistic movement; rather, it reflects his personal experiences and the “drama” of life as an immigrant.
His art is often perceived as violent, but this violence actually reflects the violent aspects of life that come from a deep personal experience. Although some consider his work harsh and sad, for him painting is a form of liberation and a means of communicating his message.
As curator Philippe Piguet told Novinkám.cz, the exhibition is actually a series of strong themes that highlight key elements of Franto’s work: decay, the consumerist theme of human suffering, intimate aspects of his life, and tragic events such as Terezín, Srebrenica, and Fukushima. But above all, human dignity.
According to Piguet, this is the DNA of Franto’s art. He depicts figures and landscapes laden with history and emotion, which is reflected in his use of dark tones and dramatic forms in his paintings, drawings and sculptures.
Photo: private archive of Štěpánka Strouhalová
When art connects
As part of Franto’s retrospective, the Czech footprint was also strengthened by the friendship agreement between the mayors of Vence and Třebíč with the aim of supporting cultural exchange. On Monday, January 26, the master, the mayor of the city, Régis Lebigre, and the mayor of Třebíč, Pavel Pacal, gathered at the town hall in Vence for the signing ceremony.
“More than ever, we need solidarity because the world is falling apart, selfishness is growing uncompromisingly. Now is the right time to exchange, to understand what is happening in the world all around us,” said Franta.
The mayor of Vence, Régis Lebigre, added: “In these tragic times, we have more and more need for culture and people who spread the message of peace and friendship between nations.” The mayor of Třebíč, Pavel Pacal, added: “The agreement was signed thanks to master Frant, who connects people with his work and story. I see a great potential for cultural and educational connections between our cities, which can have a positive impact for future generations.”
The city of Třebíč decided to respond to the exhibition in Vence with its own presentation of Franto’s work as part of strengthening the partnership. For those who will not be lucky enough to get to Vence, the Municipal Cultural Center Třebíč is organizing an exhibition Franta – Painted House Třebíč 2026. It presents a rare collection of 55 works that have not yet been exhibited in Třebíč from the collections of private collectors.
František Mertl alias Franta
- The painter, sculptor, teacher and illustrator was born on March 16, 1930 in Třebíč.
- From 1952 he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, in the studio of prof. Miloslav Holé.
- In 1958 he emigrated to France, where he started using the name Franta.
- Current problems of the time, which he perceived as a child, are reflected in his works. He and his mother faced pressure from the German authorities, as his father fought in Czechoslovak units, both in France and England.
- Before he emigrated, he was closely monitored by the StB. His fiancee Jacqueline, a Jew of Algerian origin, also caught the attention of the secret police. He married her in 1959.
- He exhibited for the first time independently in 1960 in Paris and the following year in Nice, London and Versailles. Since his first exhibitions in France, he signs his paintings only with the first name Franta. He represented France at the Biennale de Paris (1963, 1965).
- His work has been presented in more than 150 individual exhibitions, of which about thirty in French museums, but also in the USA, Japan, Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic.
- He belongs to the leading representatives of the European post-war New Figuration wave, which responded to the deep crisis of human values and feelings of alienation. From the point of view of context, he can be placed alongside greats such as Alfons Mucha, František Kupka, Josef Šíma or Jiří Kolář.
date:2026-02-08 16:26:00