Josef Gočár, one of the most significant Czech architects of the 20th century, left an indelible mark on the Czech Republic through his modernist buildings, some of which are now featured in architectural textbooks. His works, especially from the Cubist and Functionalist periods, continue to inspire and demonstrate the beauty and elegance of early 20th-century architecture.
From Art Nouveau to Functionalism
Born in Semín in eastern Bohemia in 1880, Josef Gočár studied at the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague under the renowned architect Jan Kotěra. He later succeeded Kotěra as a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. Gočár’s early work was influenced by the ornate style of Art Nouveau, but he soon became a pioneer of the then-modern Functionalism in Czechoslovakia. His buildings came to be characterised by clean lines, simplicity, and an emphasis on functionality, always complemented by artistic detail.
The House at the Black Madonna: A Jewel Among Jewels
Among Josef Gočár's most famous and remarkable works is undoubtedly the House at the Black Madonna in Prague. This Cubist building is a symbol of Czech modern architecture. Inside, you'll find the Grand Café Orient, where you can enjoy a treat in a unique Cubist interior and marvel at Gočár's genius.Czech Cubism is a global rarity in architecture, and you’ll seldom encounter it anywhere else in the world.
Buildings with an Unmistakable Signature
Gočár also worked on monumental projects. The building of the Automatic Mills in Pardubice (1925) demonstrates that even a technical structure like a mill can have aesthetic value. The building has been renovated and transformed into a gallery and cultural centre. An significant building of the cubist period is the Gočár Pavilion in Lázně Bohdaneč, while the jewel of functionalism is the Gočár Church of St. Wenceslas in Vršovice in Prague..
Hradec Králové: The Salon of the Republic
Josef Gočár was closely associated with the eastern Bohemian city of Hradec Králové, where he created numerous remarkable buildings, including the city’s urban plan and riverbank designs. Hradec is considered a city of modernist architecture from the 1920s and 1930s, earning the nickname "Salon of the Republic" thanks to Gočár's contributions. A stroll through the city reveals an urban design that still serves as a model for modern urban development.
