Josef Mánes

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Josef Mánes
Josef Mánes (date unknown)
Born12 May 1820
Prague
Died9 December 1871 (1871-12-10) (aged 51)
Prague
OccupationPainter

Josef Mánes (12 May 1820, Prague – 9 December 1871, Prague) was a Czech painter.[1]

Life

He came from a family of painters, which included his father Antonín, his uncle and Director of the Prague Art Academy Václav, his brother Quido and his sister Amalie.[1]

His first painting lessons naturally came from his father. From 1835 to 1844, he studied at the

Poland
.

He took an active role in many artistic, literary and patriotic societies. He also participated in

Sokol, an athletic organization for young men, designing uniforms and other materials for them. In 1857, he visited Italy and, three years later, took a trip to Russia
, from which he returned mentally disturbed.

From 1866, his mental state worsened rapidly, afflicting him with bizarre behavior and obsessions. A recuperative trip to Italy failed to improve his health and he died in 1871, after much suffering. It is believed that his brain had been affected by syphilis or meningitis.

Work and honors

Mánes Bridge (Mánesův most), the first bridge downstream of the famous Charles Bridge, was in 1920 renamed in the painter's honour

He produced many paintings in every genre from landscapes and portraits to

Prague Astronomical Clock
. Although his work was little understood or appreciated in his lifetime, he is now considered to be among the greatest Czech painters.

In 1887, the

Vltava River bears his name and includes a statue of the painter at the Old Town end. His image has appeared on several Czechoslovak
and Czech postage stamps.

Gallery

  • Josefína (Josephine)
    Josefína (Josephine)
  • Milenci (Lovers)
    Milenci (Lovers)
  • Sestry Františka a Serafína Kolowrat Krakowských
    Sestry Františka a Serafína Kolowrat Krakowských
  • Slovácká rodina (Family of Slovácko)
    Slovácká rodina (Family of Slovácko)
  • Švadlenka (Seamstress)
    Švadlenka (Seamstress)
  • sketch
    sketch
  • Face of the Prague Astronomical Clock (painted 1864–66)
    Face of the Prague Astronomical Clock (painted 1864–66)

References

  1. ^ a b c Rudolf Müller (1884), "Manes, Joseph", Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (in German), vol. 20, Leipzig: Duncker & Humblot, pp. 184–185

Further reading

External links