Josef Zítek

4 April 1832, Karlín (now Prague) – 2 August 1909, Smíchov (now Prague)

Josef Zítek, also known as Josef von Zitek, studied at Prague Polytechnic (today Czech Technical University in Prague) and later at the technical university and the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. During his studies in Vienna he gained his first experience in architect Josef Kranner’s studio. He took study trips to Italy, France and Germany. He was a university teacher for many years and from 1864 worked as a professor at Prague Polytechnic, where he was later appointed dean. During his university career, he taught a number of prominent architects, such as Antonín Wiehl, Osvald Polívka and Pavel Janák. Zítek was appointed court councillor and after retirement in 1903 lived in a palace in Lčovice, in the Bohemian Forest, belonging to his wife. He was a member of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Arts and the Czech Society of Artists and co-founder of the Club for Old Prague. He was ennobled in 1908, shortly before his death.

Zítek’s work was influenced primarily by Viennese and north Italian Neo-Renaissance. He entered the history of Czech culture as a co-author of the winning design for the National Theatre building in Prague in 1966 (in collaboration with Josef Schulz). He also designed the Rudolfin building in Prague in collaboration with Josef Schulz. His other important works include the Mill Colonnade in Karlovy Vary, the State Gallery and Museum in Weimar, Germany, Grammar School in Děčín and the reconstruction of castles in Bečov and Lčovice. After almost the almost completed building of the National Theatre was destroyed, he stopped creating art and focused solely on teaching.