Czech architects: 1st half of the 20th Century by Pavel Janák
Rané období tvorby
Pavel Janák was fortunate enough to attend during his studies the ateliers of personalities such as Josef Schulz and Josef Zítek (a joint proposal of Rudolfinum and the National Theatre in Prague). He had the opportunity to draw inspiration in Italy as part of his study trip. He remained patriotic to the Czech lands, returned, and in 1909 he gained the position of a bridge architect.
For artists it is important to develop fantasy, the ability to accurately record inner ideas. Janák's works from the pre-war years bear the traces of the Cubist vision of the world. In paintings and applied art, sharp edges and multilateral views are easier to interpret. Architecture was cubistically inspired by crystalline, luxurious natural shapes. The first cubist building of Pavel Janák was the Jakubcův House in Jičín or the Fárův House in Pelhřimov. If the sharp edges are rounded up, rondocubism will arise, as evidenced by Janáček's luxurious Adria Palace in Prague.
Interwar period
Changes in society also bring about artistic changes. In the interwar period, he became a member of the Regulatory Commission. He participated in the urban planning solution of Pankrác, where he prefered row development. He also created his urban concept for other parts of Prague, such as Letná and the newly created development in Baba. Considered as functionalist top and luxury building in one is the Juliš Hotel on Wenceslas Square and the Hus Parish House in Vinohrady.
Artist's other face
Janák had great respect for the monuments to which he devoted not only theoretical, but also practical attention. He participated in a series of restoration works - the adaptation of Černinský Palace, he reconstructed the Old Town Hall and also the Prague Castle Riding School. His last work was the restoration of the Summer Palace in the Royal Gardens and the Czechoslovak Army's Main Political Administration building, on which there are perceptible elements of incoming socialist realism.
Pavel Janák not only created art, but also sensitively rescued it. A luxury artistic gentleman.
