František Bílek

František Bílek, before 1931

Moses (1905) in Prague

František Bílek (6 November 1872, Chýnov – 13 October 1941, Chýnov) was a Czech sculptor and architect, in the Art Nouveau and Symbolist styles.

Bílek attended the Academy of Fine Arts (AVU) in Prague. Due to his apparent colour-blindness he moved to Josef Mauder one year later (1888) and started to study sculpture. Given a scholarship offered by patron Vojtěch Lanna, he spent one year in Paris at the Académie Colarossi (prof. Jean Antoine Injalbert). After that, he lived in turns in Prague and in Chýnov. He was a member of the Mánes Union of Fine Arts from 1898 to 1912.

His works often reflect Biblical themes or have religious connotations. Though it was never completed, Bílek also worked on his National Monument reflecting Czech Hussite history and its perceived end at White Mountain.

He built his own villa in Hradčany which he requested be turned into a museum of his works after his death.

Further reading

• Vilém Nečas, Bílek: The Testimony of Brother František, Malvern, 2015 ISBN 978-80-7530-026-3
• Martin Jindra: "František Bílek a jeho rodina v Církvi československé". In: Víra a umění Františka Bílka, CČSH ve spolupráci s Kulturní radou a LHODR, 2012, pp.35–76 ISBN 978-80-7000-077-9
• Martin Jindra, "Macešský život hostií podle návrhu Františka Bílka v Církvi československé husitské", In: Theologická revue, 2020, Vol.91, #1, pp.70–79.
• Milena Mikulecká (Ed.): František Bílek v Církvi československé husitské, ÚR CČSH, 2000

External links

• Radio Prague, "Frantisek Bilek - visionary sculptor, mystic, architect" by Jan Velinger
• Works by and about Bílek @ the National Library of the Czech Republic
• Biographical notes and works @ AbART
• Inventory of works @ the National Gallery
• Historical photographs in the Šechtl & Voseček family archives