First French Translation of Josef Váchal's Orbis Pictus

A first French translation of Josef Váchal's 'Orbis Pictus' has been published by Éd. du Globocéphalophore pictentêté. Originally produced in 1932 in an edition of 25 copies, this work complements the 17th-century 'Orbis Pictus' by Comenius (Jan Amos Komenský), a theologian and metaphysician known for his progressive educational ideas and influence on Freemasonry. Váchal, a 20th-century Czech artist—writer, painter, engraver, and printer—distanced himself from organized movements to create curious books. A skilled wood engraver, he produced images inspired by symbolism, expressionism, and esoteric references mixed with popular fantasy. The reproduced plates, slightly smaller than the original, illustrate humorous texts made deliberately difficult to read using a typeface designed by Váchal. This modern 'World in Pictures' catalogs about sixty figures Váchal considered remarkable, such as abstinence, academy, eagles, and altruism. The edition, both committed and whimsical, offers a faithful glimpse into the work of this 'Czech Jarry.'