Description
Vlastislav Hofman (1884-1964), architect, painter, and set and costume designer, was a leading member of the Czech modernist
movement, and is perhaps best known for his work in the theater. In a career which spanned approximately forty years he designed
sets for nearly 300 productions and worked with many leading Czech dramaturges. The Vlastislav Hofman papers and drawings
contains material from several stages in Hofman's career, and include an extensive collection of letters and postcards from
prominent figures in the Czech avant-garde movement; business correspondence regarding exhibitions and conferences; several
volumes of photographs of set designs, costume designs, and production designs; architectural sketches; and several original
drawings of projects in the decorative arts representative of an early period in his career.
Background
Vlastislav Hofman (1884-1964), was born in Jičín, a small town in northern Bohemia. Hofman's father was a shoemaker and an
avid socialist. He was responsible for organizing a social-democratic organization in Jičín and in the surrounding area. Vlastislav
Hofman's early exposure to political activity was to later inspire his work in the theater, such as in the designs for the
"Husité" and "Svítání." From 1902 to 1907 Hofman attended the Czech Technical University in Prague, where he studied architecture
under the direction of Jan Emil Koula and J. Schulz and met fellow artists Pavel Janák and Josef Chochol.
Extent
4.0 linear feet
(12 boxes, 2 oversize boxes, 1 flatfile folder, 1 tube)
Restrictions
Contact
Library Reproductions and Permissions.
Availability
Open for use by qualified researchers.