Ignác Ullmann

23 April 1822, Prague – 17 September 1897, Příbram

Ignác Vojtěch Ullmann studied at Prague Polytechnic (modern day ČVUT), then travelled to Vienna to study at the local Academy of Fine Arts. He took a study trip to Italy and later returned to Prague, working as an architect. He often collaborated with other architects, e.g. Antonín Baum, his brother-in-law Antonín Barvitius, etc. He often participated with his designs in various competitions. After his design proposals for the National Theatre and Rudolfinum, the most important public buildings, were rejected, he left Prague and lived mostly in the country. He spent the rest of his life in Příbram.

Typically for their time, Ullmann’s early works are inspired by the Middle Ages, which is visible in his most famous work, Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the Karlín district of Prague, a collaboration with Karel Rӧssner. His later projects were already influenced by Viennese Neo-Renaissance. Ullmann’s most important buildings are located in Prague: the girls’ school in Vodičkova Street with graffito decorations, the Lažanský Palace (now a building of the FAMU), the Lanna House, the building of the Academy of Sciences in Národní třída (former Česká spořitelna), the Provisional Theatre (has not been preserved), Czech Polytechnic on Charles Square, the Spanish Synagogue, Letenský Chateau.