History of Josef Sudek's "Garden Atelier"

There is much speculation about the exact date the studio was built. Although it is certain that the building's ground plan has been known since 1901, it is likely that the construction is older. The studio was originally built in Královské Vinohrady, later being moved to the garden of building 432 on Újezd street. The layout was drafted by the architect Jindřich Krinek and the use permit was issued to Jindřich Břinek and Jan Kohout on November 14, 1901. According to the testimony of Božena Sudková, Josef's sister, Sudek obtained the studio from the photographer Laube.

The lease agreement dated June 1, 1927 is written to Josef Sudek, Ing. Schneeberger and Emil Wolf, the building's owner. The building's owner undertakes to make the necessary roof repairs. The owner states in the agreement that he no longer wanted to rent the studio, but that he is doing so because the undersigned offered a higher rent to get the building (4000 CZK annually and 2000 CZK for repairs).

Josef Sudek lived and worked in the studio's simple conditions, also using it as a laboratory until his death. The building in which the studio was located was built as a simple, wooden, L-shaped construction. The entire building was of relatively small dimensions—12 m long by 7.5 m wide. This small area was divided into three parts, the best equipped of which was the darkroom with a big enlarger. Most spacious was the atelier itself, with a glass wall letting in sufficient light for portraits.

Starting at the beginning of WWII which limited Sudek's creations in exteriors, several famous photographic cycles originated here. But the atelier was not only for work. Sudek also met with his friends here at "concerts" of his huge collection of gramophone albums.

After Josef Sudek died, his sister Božena continued to live in the atelier, lacking the strength to care for the studio and garden and leaving the building to deteriorate rapidly. In May 1985, a fire broke out in the atelier, causing further devastation. Only the building's remains and his equipment were gradually removed thereafter. In the end, only fragments of windows, doors and the interior equipment were preserved.

Complete restoration of the Sudek atelier started in July 2000. 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. The reconstructed atelier is open to the public since September 2000 and serves as a museum and gallery, displaying exhibits and photographs from Josef Sudek's remaining works. Exhibits of other artists' photographs are also planned.

Opening

At the opening ceremony which happened on September 14, 2000 were presented many V.I.P. representatives of political and cultural life. The City of Prague was represented by its Mayor, Mr Jan Kasl. The opening ceremony was preceded by the press conference. At the conference the project participants informed the media about the Atelier reconstruction and the future plans.

The reconstructed Atelier was open to the public on Saturday, September 16, 2000. During the "Open Door Days" (September 16 - 17, 2000) each of the visitors to the Atelier received a reprint of an original photograph by Josef Sudek, which was published for this occasion in a limited serie. There came about 1200 visitors to the Atelier, i.e. the exhibition was viewed each minute by two visitors. At some moments visitors even had to stand in line to enter the Atelier.

The atelier will function as a museum and gallery (open daily except Mondays 12 a.m. - 6 p.m.), displaying exhibits and photographs from Josef Sudek's remaining works. Exhibits of other artists' photographs are also planned.

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1. The press conference
2. The press conference
3. Opening of the Atelier in the atmosphere of the 1930s
4. Mayor of Prague opens the Atelier
5. Main persons of the opening ceremony: dr. Anna Fárová, Mayor of Prague Jan Kasl and speaker Ondřej Havelka

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History of Josef Sudek's "Garden Atelier"
		There is much speculation about the exact date the studio was built. Although it is certain that the building's ground plan has been known since 1901, it is likely that the construction is older. The studio was originally built in Královské Vinohrady, later being moved to the garden of building 432 on Újezd street. The layout was drafted by the architect Jindřich Krinek and the use permit was issued to Jindřich Břinek and Jan Kohout on November 14, 1901. According to the testimony of Božena Sudková, Josef's sister, Sudek obtained the studio from the photographer Laube. The lease agreement dated June 1, 1927 is written to Josef Sudek, Ing. Schneeberger and Emil Wolf, the building's owner. The building's owner undertakes to make the necessary roof repairs. The owner states in the agreement that he no longer wanted to rent the studio, but that he is doing so because the undersigned offered a higher rent to get the building (4000 CZK annually and 2000 CZK for repairs). Josef Sudek lived and worked in the studio's simple conditions, also using it as a laboratory until his death. The building in which the studio was located was built as a simple, wooden, L-shaped construction. The entire building was of relatively small dimensions—12 m long by 7.5 m wide. This small area was divided into three parts, the best equipped of which was the darkroom with a big enlarger. Most spacious was the atelier itself, with a glass wall letting in sufficient light for portraits. Starting at the beginning of WWII which limited Sudek's creations in exteriors, several famous photographic cycles originated here. But the atelier was not only for work. Sudek also met with his friends here at "concerts" of his huge collection of gramophone albums. After Josef Sudek died, his sister Božena continued to live in the atelier, lacking the strength to care for the studio and garden and leaving the building to deteriorate rapidly. In May 1985, a fire broke out in the atelier, causing further devastation. Only the building's remains and his equipment were gradually removed thereafter. In the end, only fragments of windows, doors and the interior equipment were preserved. Complete restoration of the Sudek atelier started in July 2000. 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. The reconstructed atelier is open to the public since September 2000 and serves as a museum and gallery, displaying exhibits and photographs from Josef Sudek's remaining works. Exhibits of other artists' photographs are also planned. Opening At the opening ceremony which happened on September 14, 2000 were presented many V.I.P. representatives of political and cultural life. The City of Prague was represented by its Mayor, Mr Jan Kasl. The opening ceremony was preceded by the press conference. At the conference the project participants informed the media about the Atelier reconstruction and the future plans. The reconstructed Atelier was open to the public on Saturday, September 16, 2000. During the "Open Door Days" (September 16 - 17, 2000) each of the visitors to the Atelier received a reprint of an original photograph by Josef Sudek, which was published for this occasion in a limited serie. There came about 1200 visitors to the Atelier, i.e. the exhibition was viewed each minute by two visitors. At some moments visitors even had to stand in line to enter the Atelier. The atelier will function as a museum and gallery (open daily except Mondays 12 a.m. - 6 p.m.), displaying exhibits and photographs from Josef Sudek's remaining works. Exhibits of other artists' photographs are also planned.







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	3

	4

		1. The press conference 2. The press conference 3. Opening of the Atelier in the atmosphere of the 1930s 4. Mayor of Prague opens the Atelier 5. Main persons of the opening ceremony: dr. Anna Fárová, Mayor of Prague Jan Kasl and speaker Ondřej Havelka
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