Jaromír Funke was a leading figure in Czech avant-garde photography during the 1920s and 1930s, alongside František Drtikol, Josef Sudek, and Jaroslav Rössler. His innovative approach shaped modern photography in Czechoslovakia and beyond.

Funke studied medicine, law, and philosophy in Prague before dedicating himself to freelance photography in 1922. Influenced by Drtikol, he embraced diverse artistic movements, including constructivism, surrealism, poeticism, and expressionism. Traditional Czech lyricism and the avant-garde ideals of the Devětsil group also deeply informed his work.

In 1924, Funke co-founded the Czech Society of Photography with Sudek, championing uniquely photographic methods such as the photogram while advocating for a break from traditional representation. His experiments with light, shadow, and reflection, as well as his abstracted still lifes and emphasis on diagonal lines and extreme angles, set him apart as a visionary artist.

Funke also made significant contributions as an educator. From 1931 to 1935, he taught at the School of Arts and Crafts in Bratislava, where he explored social documentary photography. He later joined the State School of Graphic Arts in Prague, teaching there from 1935 to 1944.

Despite the dangers of Nazi occupation, Funke edited and published the avant-garde journal Photographic Horizon for two years, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to artistic expression. He remained active in writing and organizing exhibitions until his death, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of photography.