Illustration for Zlatovláska and Other Tales 

Artuš Scheiner made this color illustration for the fairy tale "Zlatovláska," or "Golden Hair," and other tales. The image operates as a social mirror, reflecting the cultural norms and values of early 20th-century Bohemia. Note the hierarchical positioning of characters and the idealized beauty of Zlatovláska. Scheiner uses visual codes to reinforce social roles, drawing from a rich tradition of Bohemian folklore. It is impossible to ignore the context of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time. Scheiner's work tapped into a broader movement of national revival. Illustrations like this weren't mere decorations; they helped define and celebrate Czech identity through folklore. You can explore such connections further by looking at the history of Czech art institutions of this time and examining the work of other artists and illustrators from Scheiner’s circle.