Devil and Kate (print)

"Devil and Kate" (2016) is a colored pencil drawing by Prague artist Marie Brožová, created live in public in Liberec (Czech Republic) as part of her long-term project The Defense of Colored Pencils. The original artwork is an A0 format, measuring 118.9 × 84.1 cm (46.8 × 33.1 inches). 

The Story Behind the Art

This piece is a tribute to the traditional Czech fairy tale of the dim-witted devil and a fiercely marriage-hungry village girl, Kate. The scene unfolds during All Souls' Day, when the veil thins and the gates between worlds swing wide open. Having tested the patience of the underworld, the mismatched pair has been promptly kicked out of Hell and sent tumbling back to Earth. The poor devil would love nothing more than to enjoy his pipe in peace and quiet, but the relentless Kate is clinging to his back like a burr, determined not to let her companion go.

In Western traditions, devils are often depicted as terrifying, evil forces. However, in Czech folklore, they are rarely malicious. Instead, they are portrayed as clumsy, easily outsmarted, and a bit simple-minded. Forget fire and brimstone – traditional Czech tales often depict Hell as nothing more than a cozy, smoky village pub where devils gather to play cards and drink beer.

Hidden Details to Discover

Wizards, witches, and tiny mice glide through the air on dragons and airships made of autumn leaves. A dove and a raven tussle over a magic mirror, while the sun-drenched silhouette of the Ještěd mountain rises on the horizon – a nod to the beautiful location where this piece was created.

Available as: Fine Art Prints (A4–A0), Gallery-Quality Posters (A2–A0).