Like Real

The exhibition Like Real presents the extraordinary world of scientific illustration, where animals, plants, stones, bones, and other natural forms are depicted with astonishing precision and detail. Created in cooperation with TOTO! je galéria, the project highlights the beauty of observation and the artistic mastery behind seemingly “invisible” illustrations.

The works recall the sense of wonder many of us experienced as children while browsing encyclopedias discovering the shapes of leaves, insects, feathers, and aquatic life for the first time. These illustrations were often created with extreme precision, sometimes under a magnifying glass, revealing textures and structures invisible to the naked eye.

At the heart of the exhibition are works by illustrator Ján Švec, whose practice includes extensive scientific illustrations for children’s books such as Naše vtáky (Our Birds), Z ríše hmyzu (From the Insect Kingdom), and Akvárium v kocke (Aquarium in a Nutshell). His son Andrej recalls the incredible precision of his work, where even the finest details such as insect hairs measured in tenths of millimetres were carefully rendered by hand.

The exhibition also reflects on the origin of many of these illustrations, which were created as part of publishing processes where leftover paper formats were repurposed into small illustrated atlases. What began as practical reuse evolved into a unique artistic and educational legacy that continues to inspire generations.

Like Real invites visitors to rediscover the magic of observation, where science and art meet in perfect harmony.