Complete restoration of the Sudek atelier started in July 2000 by incentive of Ms Anna Fárová, an art historian, expert on Sudek´s work and life. A replica of the original atelier in the garden was erected on the original site. Renovation work was also done on the surrounding garden, the fencing, as well as the adjacent courtyard and throughways. Several instuitutions have joined the project of reconstruction under the support of Mayor of Prague.
Dr. Anna Fárová, an art historian, commented on the planned reconstruction of the Sudek atelier:
"The celebrated, almost 100-year old ground-floor photography atelier will be resurrected in 2000 thanks to the generous support of PPF and the interest of institutions such as the Museum of Applied Art in Prague 1. The most famous period of its existence was from 1927 to 1958, when it was occupied and used by Josef Sudek, the most prominent Czech photographer, for work and for friendly musical engagements.
The expansive thematic cycles on "My Studio Window" (1940-1954), "Stroll around My Garden" (1944-1953), "My Studio Garden" (1950-1970) and finally "Still-life on My Studio Window" (1950-1958) have become world renowned, ensuring broad recognition for him and the place where his works were born.
Interest in this technical and artistic historical monument has not diminished even a quarter of a century after Sudek's death, despite its partial destruction. Conversely, there is sorrow that the garden studio does not exist, as well as a desire to see it again. Because I am in charge of caring for Sudek's legacy, I welcome the studio's reconstruction as one of the last notable steps to finalizing work on the entire legacy. Immediately after Sudek's death, the most important thing was to preserve the endangered work, artistic collections and archive, and to publish and display them. The collections have been turned over to Czech art institutions. The workroom on Úvoz street that Josef Sudek used from 1958 until his death has been reconstructed by the Museum of Applied Art, which has created a Josef Sudek gallery there. All that remained was to find a team of aficionados to revitalize the place that was of supreme import for Josef Sudek's life and creations."
The reconstructed atelier is open to the public since September 2000 and serves as a museum and gallery.
Reconstruction planThe investor built a replica of the former courtyard studio on the original grounds. The project also included renovation of the surrounding garden and fencing, and maintenance of the adjacent courtyard and throughways.
The new building is used as a Josef Sudek museum
and as a gallery in which some of the exhibits and photographs from Josef
Sudek's remaining works are on display.
Architectural and constructional design
The replica of the atelier was designed based on information and materials from Anna Fárová and her friends. For the sake of comparison, the investor also had architects J. Sedlák and V. Girsa design the atelier's reconstruction in 1989.
The building's appearance, size, location, space and function are entirely based on its original form. The material and constructional design also correspond with the original character—all-wood construction with slanted roof and pronounced studio window in the front facade. Reconstruction of the exterior and interior maximally utilizes original elements from the collections of the Museum of Applied Art and from the National Technical Museum, which are professionally restored, including part of the original furniture, part of the construction, and other objects. Only those elements that were not preserved or that are in poor condition are replaced with new ones.
The original atelier area was broken down into four rooms—entry hall, library, atelier and darkroom. These areas are used for museum and gallery purposes.
The garden's reconstruction includes complete recultivation of bushes, low trees and flowers according to the original character of the place based on photographs of the time. The garden is separated from the courtyard with the original, reconstructed fence. The surrounding area is complemented with benches.
This site maximally evokes the original atmosphere in which Josef Sudek created a significant portion of his works. Visitors are able to view his studio, it original equipment, a cross-section of Josef Sudek's creations, and the atmosphere of the courtyard in the Lesser Quarter (Malá Strana) in various seasons, enriching their knowledge of Josef Sudek.
Process of reconstruction
June 27th, 2000
August 2nd, 2000
August 8th, 2000
August 16th, 2000
August 29th, 2000
September 12th, 2000
