František Bílek
František Bílek (born November 6, 1872 in Chýnov , Austria-Hungary ; † October 13, 1941 ibid) was a Czech sculptor and graphic artist . He is one of the most important Bohemian artists of symbolism before World War II .
Life
František Bílek studied in Prague and Paris . At first he wanted to be a painter and in 1887 began studying with Maxmilián Pirner at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague . It turned out that he was partially color blind. In 1888 he switched to studying sculpture with Professor Josef Mauder . He later received a scholarship and continued his studies at the Académie Colarossi in Paris.
After completing his studies, he returned to his birthplace and built a studio there, and later a second house in the Prague district of Hradčany . From then on he lived alternately in Chýnov and Prague.
In 1897 he became a member of the Karolická moderna movement , and in 1909 a member of the Czech Artists' Association ( Umělecká beseda ).
Works
His work is stylistically related to the works of Ota Březina . The spiritual character of both artists went beyond contemporary conventions. Bílek's statues were often related to the Bible, but were stumbling blocks because of their detailed, naturalistic representation. He created the first sculptures in Paris. Part of his work was destroyed by the Germans during World War II.
He also showed his talent in architecture, for example with the design of his villa in Prague.
Franz Kafka was one of his great admirers in 1922 and mentions a. a. his 'undoubtedly incomparable designs' for some monuments.
Books
- The Way (Cesta), 1909
Sculptures
- Golgota a Orba je naší viny trest, 1892
- Orbou křížem, 1895
- Podobenstvím velkého Západu Čech 1898
- Ukřižovaný, 1897
- Strom, jenž bleskem zasažen, po věky hořel, 1901
- Slepci, 1902
- Modlitba nad hroby, 1905
- Mojžíš, 1905, Prague, Pařížská 26
- Komenský, loučící se s vlastí, 1926
literature
- Bílek Franz. In: Austrian Biographical Lexicon 1815–1950 (ÖBL). Volume 1, Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Vienna 1957, p. 84.
- P. Wittlich: České sochařství ve XX. století (1890–1945), Prague 1978.
Web links
- Literature and other media by and about František Bílek in the catalog of the National Library of the Czech Republic
- Literature by and about František Bílek in the catalog of the German National Library
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Bílek, František |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Bilek, Frantisek |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Czech stone sculptor and graphic artist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 6, 1872 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Chýnov , Bohemia |
| DATE OF DEATH | October 13, 1941 |
| Place of death | Chýnov |