Alois Wachsman
Encyclopedia
Alois Wachsman was a Czech painter, stage designer and architect.
) and in 1920 was one of the founders of Devětsil
. From 1925-1928 he studied architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts
under Josef Gočár
. From 1923 he was a member of the Association of Fine Artists, and from 1937 he lived in Dvůr Králové.
, later, his paintings were close to surrealism
, but with very distinctive poetic sentiments. At the end of his life he painted almost realistic paintings with religious themes, again with characteristic poetry. He also worked as an illustrator and theatrical architect for the Osvobozené divadlo
and National Theatre
. Between 1927-1930 he worked with Josef Gočár
in the design of the Church of St. Wenceslas in Prague, Vršovice
.
Life
From 1917-1922 he studied architecture at the Prague Technical University (CTUCzech Technical University in Prague
Czech Technical University in Prague is one of the largest universities in the Czech Republic, and the oldest institute of technology in Central Europe....
) and in 1920 was one of the founders of Devětsil
Devetsil
The Devětsil was an association of Czech avant-garde artists, founded in 1920 in Prague. From 1923 on there was also an active group in Brno. The movement discontinued its activities in 1930 ....
. From 1925-1928 he studied architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts
Academy of Fine Arts in Prague
The Academy of Fine Arts, Prague was founded in 1799 and is the Czech Republic's oldest art college. The school offers twelve Master's degree programs and one Doctoral program.-History:...
under Josef Gočár
Josef Gocár
Josef Gočár , was a Czech architect, one of the founders of modern architecture in Czechoslovakia....
. From 1923 he was a member of the Association of Fine Artists, and from 1937 he lived in Dvůr Králové.
Works
As a painter Wachsman was initially under the strong influence of French cubismCubism
Cubism was a 20th century avant-garde art movement, pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, that revolutionized European painting and sculpture, and inspired related movements in music, literature and architecture...
, later, his paintings were close to surrealism
Surrealism
Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for the visual artworks and writings of the group members....
, but with very distinctive poetic sentiments. At the end of his life he painted almost realistic paintings with religious themes, again with characteristic poetry. He also worked as an illustrator and theatrical architect for the Osvobozené divadlo
Osvobozené divadlo
Osvobozené divadlo was a Prague avant-garde theatre scene founded as the theatre section of an association of Czech avant-garde artists Devětsil in 1926. The theatre's beginnings were strongly influenced by Dadaism and Futurism, later by Poetism...
and National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
. Between 1927-1930 he worked with Josef Gočár
Josef Gocár
Josef Gočár , was a Czech architect, one of the founders of modern architecture in Czechoslovakia....
in the design of the Church of St. Wenceslas in Prague, Vršovice
Vršovice
Vršovice is a district of Prague. All of Vršovice lies within the Prague 10 administrative district. Vršovice is located south of the city centre. It borders Vinohrady to the north, Nusle to the south-west, Michle to the south and Strašnice to the east....
.