The accessibility of sculptor Wichterlová's studio will take several years

Prague - The planned accessibility of the small apartment of sculptor Hana Wichterlová is estimated to take three to four years, as the question of access for visitors must also be resolved in addition to the reconstruction. This was stated to journalists today by Prague councilor Hana Třeštíková (Prague Sobě) after signing a memorandum on the transfer of the studio and surrounding land from Prague 1 to the capital city. In the garden house, located in the garden of the house under Petřín, the artist lived for 50 years and passed away there in 1990. An exhibition focusing on her life and work is to be established there.

"We are not talking about months when it should be opened, rather we are talking about years," said the councilor, adding that ideally, the studio could open in three to four years. The exhibition in the renovated building will be operated by the Gallery of the Capital City, which will take over the property. Its transfer must first be approved by the council and the municipal assembly of Prague 1, which should happen in the near future. Afterwards, the gallery will begin preparing the project for the reconstruction of the garden house, which is visibly in poor condition.

The project will need to address the issue of access to the garden, which is currently entered through an apartment building, while the local homeowners' association refuses to allow this to continue after the house is made accessible. According to Třeštíková, access through the neighboring house owned by Prague 1 or the construction of a staircase going from Petřín is under consideration. "I think that is the preferred and cheaper option," said the councilor.

The great-niece of the sculptor, Marie Wichterlová, stated that the artist's family plans to donate the original furnishings of the studio and some artwork from the estate to the gallery. In addition to Wichterlová herself and her work, the exhibition should also focus on other figures of the interwar art scene, such as the sculptor's life partner, sculptor Bedřich Stefan, another sculptor Vincenc Makovský, architect Otto Rothmayer, poet Vladimír Holan, or photographer Josef Sudek, whose studio is located on the same street and now houses an exhibition space.

The garden house with the studio became the subject of public discussion after the former leadership of Prague 1, led by Oldřich Lomecký (formerly of TOP 09), announced the intention to sell the entire object, including the garden house. They later withdrew this decision after criticism, and the magistrate subsequently approved taking over the property. This was also confirmed by the assembly of the first city district this June.

Hana Wichterlová (1903 to 1990) was among the most significant figures in Czech modern sculpture. Her brother was the chemist Otto Wichterle. The now-declining small apartment and adjacent garden were popular meeting places for Czech artists and intellectuals during the interwar period.

More information >