The renovation of the Wichterlová studio in Prague is expected to cost 6.3 million CZK

Prague - The capital city plans to invest 6.3 million crowns into the reconstruction of the studio of sculptor Hana Wichterlová in Malá Strana. The city will take over the building from Prague 1, which has managed it until now, and the Gallery of the Capital City should create an exhibition there to commemorate the life and work of the sculptor. This follows from a memorandum between Prague 1 and the municipality, the wording of which was approved today by the councilors of the capital city. The studio, located in the garden of a house under Petřín, is where the artist lived for 50 years and where she passed away in 1990.

The garden house with the studio became the subject of public discussion after the former leadership of Prague 1, led by Oldřich Lomecký (formerly TOP 09), announced plans to sell the entire property along with the garden house. Following criticism, they subsequently retreated from this decision, and the municipality then approved the takeover of the building. This was also confirmed in June of this year by the council of the first district.

In today's resolution, Prague's councilors approved the agreement with Prague 1 and also committed to release funds from the budget for next year for the reconstruction of the building and annual costs of 400,000 crowns for the operation of the studio.

After the city takes over the building, the Gallery of the Capital City should operate the new exhibition, which plans to maintain the existing interior appearance to show how the artist lived and created. It should also commemorate other artists associated with Wichterlová.

Hana Wichterlová (1903 to 1990) was among the most significant figures in Czech modern sculpture. Her brother was chemist Otto Wichterle. The currently dilapidated studio in Malá Strana and the adjacent garden were popular meeting places for Czech artists and intellectuals during the interwar period.