Frantíšek Kysela (1881 – 1941) Czech designer and teacher

The Czechoslovak Festival
The Czechoslovak Festival

Frantíšek Kysela (1881 – 1941) was a Czech designer and teacher. He was born in Kourim.

Education

Between 1900-04 and 1905-08, he studied at the School of Decorative Arts Prague, under K. Mašek. 

1904-05, he attended the Academy of Fine Arts, Prague: under H. Schwaigr. 

Biography

 In 1913, he became a professor at, School of Decorative Arts, Prague. 

From 1921, taught a class in applied graphics. In

1908 joined Mánes Association of Plastic Artists and, 1909, was elected to its executive.

FrantišekKysela, lithography / paper fixed on canvas.
FrantišekKysela, lithography / paper fixed on canvas.

He was a member of Artēl Cooperative. In 1911, left Manes and joined the Group of Plastic Artists. He worked in the editorial offices of Umêlecky mêsfčník. 

In 1917, he rejoined Manes and was active in various media, especially the applied arts; he created frescoes, paintings on glass windows, textile designs for clothing and upholstery, jewellery, tapestries, postage stamps, bank-notes, book illustrations, stage sets., and theatre costumes, including those for Smetana’s operas at the National Theater, Prague. 

Recognition

He received grand prize and gold medal at ‘1925 Paris ‘Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes.

St. Vitus Cathedral, vitrage

Sources

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing.

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