OBJECTS Art Associations and the Visual Style Vojtěch Preissig (1873–1944) Design of a cover for Volné směry magazine, 1897 Ink and white on cardboard; 39.5 x 30.5 cm Published by the Mánes association from 1896–1949, the Volné směry monthly was the most important artistic journal of Czech Modernist artists at the turn of the century. The journal featured programmatic, ideological and critical reviews. The editorial work was done by Mánes’s executive board; its editors included such outstanding personalities as F. X. Šalda, Miloš Jiránek and Jan Štursa. Special care was devoted to the magazine’s cover, with design competitions held. The same applied to Mánes posters, with design competitions also being open to non-members of the association. Arnošt Hofbauer and Vladimír Županský were the most frequently selected artists. Visually expressive covers were also designed by Jan Preisler, Jan Kotěra, Max Švabinský and later on František Kysela. The journal’s interior layout was neither unified nor established. A variety of decorative elements were used: lines, ornamental frames and headers designed by various artists.