Golem BML

The famous romance of Gustav Mayric “Golem”, which rightfully became a masterpiece of expressionist literature and “magical realism”, is given in the translation of the famous literary critic David Isaakovich Vygotsky. The novel distinguishes a tense detective plot and many allusions dating back to the Kabbalah, Buddhism and alchemy. This publication is illustrated by the talented works of the Czech artist Hugo Steiner-Prague, who brought the artist worldwide fame. At the beginning of the XVII century, a legend of the clay giant arose in Prague, which was created and revived by the main rabbi of the city of Ben Bitsalel. Two centuries later, the stories of Golemia made a strong impression on Gustav Mayric. The future writer was born in Vienna in 1868, and by the end of the XIX century. He became a successful Prague financier. Unrequited love almost led him to suicide, from which the Mayric kept only an unthinkable combination of circumstances. After this incident, he became interested in the mysticism of old Prague, the Jewish theosophy and various spiritual teachings of the East. Ultimately, the Mayric was accused of using witchcraft and spiritualism of his financial practice, and a quite successful banker spent two months in prison. Of course, the prosecution fell apart, but this incident negatively affected the reputation of the Mayric in financial circles, and had to part with banking practice. Since that time, Mayrink lived only literature. He began to write early, his first stories were published at the beginning of the XXV. Mayrink published his best novel “Gole” when he was almost fifty years old. Thanks to Gustava, the story of the Jewish rabbi, reviving with the help of the Kabbalistic spells of the clay monster, has become known all over the world. The writer died in 1932 near Munich in his own villa. In this edition, his famous novel is illustrated by the talented works of the Czech artist Hugo Steiner-Prague. Illustrations and drawings attracted the future painter from childhood, because his father was a book -winner, and various publications with beautiful pictures were constantly surrounded by Hugo. The craving for painting led his Prague Art Academy. Then there was a study at the Munich Art Academy, where the famous Franz von Sile became the mentor of the young man. Steiner felt like a free European artist, so in 1905 he moved from Judaism to Catholicism, and then accepted German citizenship. Steiner taught at the Leipzig Royal Academy of Graphic Arts, while drawing illustrations for Andersen"s tales and Hoffmann"s stories. A series of drawings to the Golem, performed by him in 1915, brought the artist World Glory. After the Nazis came to power, Steiner returned to Prague. He later moved to the United States, settled in New York and in memory of the past life added the second part to his last name-“Prague”. Behind the ocean, the master became a member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts and, until the end of his life, was engaged in illustrating books