Villa Bílek
Encyclopedia
The Villa Bílek is a house designed by the Czech sculptor and architect František Bílek
in 1911. The villa
is located in Hradčany
neighbourhood of Prague
, Czech Republic, several minutes walk from Hradčanská
metro station or Prague Castle
. It was designed originally for Bílek himself as his residence and studio
.
Located on site of former city walls (see preserved Písek Gate
nearby) the villa has an unusual shape resembling trace of a scythe
in a field. The brickwork
masonry is articulated by pillar
s in form of corn sheaves which evoke Egyptian architecture
. Through this building Bílek, who was a deeply religious artist, tried to express his view on substance of life.
Villa Bílek has been maintained by Gallery of the Capital City of Prague since 1963. It houses a public exposition that introduces many works by Bílek, as well as original interior fittings and furniture collection which was made according to his design. As of 2010 the building is temporarily closed due to restoration, the re-opening is expected in September.
František Bílek
František Bílek was a famous Czech Art Nouveau and Symbolist sculptor and architect....
in 1911. The villa
Villa
A villa was originally an ancient Roman upper-class country house. Since its origins in the Roman villa, the idea and function of a villa have evolved considerably. After the fall of the Roman Republic, villas became small farming compounds, which were increasingly fortified in Late Antiquity,...
is located in Hradčany
Hradcany
Hradčany , the Castle District, is the district of the city of Prague, Czech Republic, surrounding the Prague Castle.The castle is said to be the biggest castle in the world at about 570 meters in length and an average of about 130 meters wide. Its history stretches back to the 9th century...
neighbourhood of Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czech Republic, several minutes walk from Hradčanská
Hradcanská
Hradčanská is a Prague Metro station on Line A.-Exits:This station has only one exit toward Milady Horákové, where plenty of tram transfers are available. A second exit was not built, though it was planned.- External links :...
metro station or Prague Castle
Prague Castle
Prague Castle is a castle in Prague where the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have had their offices. The Czech Crown Jewels are kept here...
. It was designed originally for Bílek himself as his residence and studio
Studio
A studio is an artist's or worker's workroom, or the catchall term for an artist and his or her employees who work within that studio. This can be for the purpose of architecture, painting, pottery , sculpture, scrapbooking, photography, graphic design, filmmaking, animation, radio or television...
.
Located on site of former city walls (see preserved Písek Gate
Písek Gate
Písek Gate , also called Bruska Gate is a former city gate of Baroque fortification of Prague, Czech Republic. Once belonging to fortification section called Marian Walls it is located in K Brusce Street at Hradčany neighbourhood, not far from Hradčanská metro station. Anther sights in vicinity...
nearby) the villa has an unusual shape resembling trace of a scythe
Scythe
A scythe is an agricultural hand tool for mowing grass, or reaping crops. It was largely replaced by horse-drawn and then tractor machinery, but is still used in some areas of Europe and Asia. The Grim Reaper is often depicted carrying or wielding a scythe...
in a field. The brickwork
Brickwork
Brickwork is masonry produced by a bricklayer, using bricks and mortar to build up brick structures such as walls. Brickwork is also used to finish corners, door, and window openings, etc...
masonry is articulated by pillar
Column
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a vertical structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. For the purpose of wind or earthquake engineering, columns may be designed to resist lateral forces...
s in form of corn sheaves which evoke Egyptian architecture
Ancient Egyptian architecture
The Nile valley has been the site of one of the most influential civilizations which developed a vast array of diverse structures encompassing ancient Egyptian architecture...
. Through this building Bílek, who was a deeply religious artist, tried to express his view on substance of life.
Villa Bílek has been maintained by Gallery of the Capital City of Prague since 1963. It houses a public exposition that introduces many works by Bílek, as well as original interior fittings and furniture collection which was made according to his design. As of 2010 the building is temporarily closed due to restoration, the re-opening is expected in September.