Jindrich Mahelka (July 15, 1919 in Prelouc - May 3, 1990 in Nové Mesto na Moravě) painter, graphic artist and illustrator

He trained as a lithographer in Cizek's printing house in Pardubice under the leadership of Frantisek Schmied. Under his influence, he also tried his own graphic design. He studied at the graphic school in Pardubice. He went to Prague for further practice and education, where he studied at the Ukrainian Academy with Professor I. Kulec. Then he entered the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague from 1935 to 1939 ( prof. V. Pukl and V. Silovsky ), which he graduated from in 1939 at the graphic specialty of professor Vladimir Silovsky. The domain of Mahelk's work became graphic work, where he was able to use his perfect knowledge of the craft. He then best used his ability to tell stories narratively in unique book illustrations. His work Ex Libris is also remarkable. In his work, he devoted himself to practically all types of graphic techniques, especially gravure and lithography, but also oil painting. His talent and abilities are evidenced by the fact that in 1952 he was accepted as a full member of the prestigious Association of Czech Graphic Artists Hollar. From 1957 to 1979 he worked as a professor at the Secondary Vocational School of Fine Arts in Prague on Hollar Square in Prague. From 1950 he participated in the exhibitions of Hollar, of which he was later a member. It is represented in the Municipal Gallery in Prelouc.