František Maxmilián Kaňka
*19. 8. 1674 – Prague, Czech Republic
†14. 7. 1766 – Prague, Czech Republic
Biography
František Maxmilián Kaňka was a Czech Baroque architect. He first apprenticed in his father's workshop in Prague, Vít Václav Kaňka, later training with the Prague builder Pavel Ignác Bayer. There are few records of his apprenticeship journey; he may have studied in Italy and Vienna. Upon returning from abroad, he collaborated with Giovanni Battista Alliprandi, Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel, and also executed constructions based on the projects of Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer. He became a townsman in the Old Town with an apartment on Dlouhá street, where he also operated a brewery. In 1699, after a ceremonial oath, he became an independent builder, soon becoming a leading member of the Old Town guild. One of his first realizations was a proposal for the construction of the prelature and refectory at the Old Town Benedictines near St. Nicholas Church. František’s father placed great emphasis on thorough education, preparing him for the profession of builder; both were knowledgeable in the Latin language. František Maxmilián's broad outlook and knowledge were reflected in his attempt to establish the Prague Academy of Arts in 1709 together with sculptor František Preis and painter Michael Václav Halbax, but they failed. He befriended and collaborated with painter Václav Vavřinec Reiner and sculptor Matyáš Bernard Braun.
In his operations, he was exceptional in his relationships with builders. He entered the closest circles of his aristocratic clients, likely due to his education and insights. He always tried to maintain the best collegial relationships, unlike others whose disputes frequently led to court. The acceptance of commissions took place very smoothly and without drama. His relationship with G. B. Alliprandi was very decisive for Kaňka’s architectural maturation. In the second decade of the 18th century, he replaced the Canevall family of builders in the service of Jan Josef of Waldstein, while maintaining good relations with them. He worked for the families of Waldstein, Černín, Mansfeld, Pacht, Trauttmansdorff, Lobkovic, Kinský, and Vrtba, as well as for the orders of Augustinians, Piarists, and Cistercians.
In 1723, he was appointed imperial architect, and his wealth reflected this position. By 1725, he reported an income of 500 zlotys, yet according to preserved contracts, his income ranged around 1470 zlotys; he owned at least four houses, with others likely acquired for his children. Already in the 1720s, he began to limit his construction activities, which were partially taken over by his pupils. He maintained good relations with them, especially with František Ignác Prée; Anselmo Lurago identified himself as a pupil of Kaňka.
In the 1730s, there are no mentions of specific construction activities; Kaňka appeared as a wealthy Prague brewer who, due to his financial security, could devote himself to his hobbies. In 1737, at the age of 63, he married a member of an armorial family, Kateřina Malá from Tulejovice, with whom he had two children. In 1764, Kaňka wrote his last will in Czech, and two years later, he died at the age of 92. He was buried on July 14, 1766, in the crypt of the Church of Our Lady before Týn. František Maxmilián Kaňka outlived two generations of builders during his lifetime, many of whom paradoxically are much better known today. He could only partially approach the contemporary fame and social status of K. I. Dientzenhofer.
František Maxmilián Kaňka was a Czech Baroque architect. He first apprenticed in his father's workshop in Prague, Vít Václav Kaňka, later training with the Prague builder Pavel Ignác Bayer. There are few records of his apprenticeship journey; he may have studied in Italy and Vienna. Upon returning from abroad, he collaborated with Giovanni Battista Alliprandi, Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel, and also executed constructions based on the projects of Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer. He became a townsman in the Old Town with an apartment on Dlouhá street, where he also operated a brewery. In 1699, after a ceremonial oath, he became an independent builder, soon becoming a leading member of the Old Town guild. One of his first realizations was a proposal for the construction of the prelature and refectory at the Old Town Benedictines near St. Nicholas Church. František’s father placed great emphasis on thorough education, preparing him for the profession of builder; both were knowledgeable in the Latin language. František Maxmilián's broad outlook and knowledge were reflected in his attempt to establish the Prague Academy of Arts in 1709 together with sculptor František Preis and painter Michael Václav Halbax, but they failed. He befriended and collaborated with painter Václav Vavřinec Reiner and sculptor Matyáš Bernard Braun.
In his operations, he was exceptional in his relationships with builders. He entered the closest circles of his aristocratic clients, likely due to his education and insights. He always tried to maintain the best collegial relationships, unlike others whose disputes frequently led to court. The acceptance of commissions took place very smoothly and without drama. His relationship with G. B. Alliprandi was very decisive for Kaňka’s architectural maturation. In the second decade of the 18th century, he replaced the Canevall family of builders in the service of Jan Josef of Waldstein, while maintaining good relations with them. He worked for the families of Waldstein, Černín, Mansfeld, Pacht, Trauttmansdorff, Lobkovic, Kinský, and Vrtba, as well as for the orders of Augustinians, Piarists, and Cistercians.
In 1723, he was appointed imperial architect, and his wealth reflected this position. By 1725, he reported an income of 500 zlotys, yet according to preserved contracts, his income ranged around 1470 zlotys; he owned at least four houses, with others likely acquired for his children. Already in the 1720s, he began to limit his construction activities, which were partially taken over by his pupils. He maintained good relations with them, especially with František Ignác Prée; Anselmo Lurago identified himself as a pupil of Kaňka.
In the 1730s, there are no mentions of specific construction activities; Kaňka appeared as a wealthy Prague brewer who, due to his financial security, could devote himself to his hobbies. In 1737, at the age of 63, he married a member of an armorial family, Kateřina Malá from Tulejovice, with whom he had two children. In 1764, Kaňka wrote his last will in Czech, and two years later, he died at the age of 92. He was buried on July 14, 1766, in the crypt of the Church of Our Lady before Týn. František Maxmilián Kaňka outlived two generations of builders during his lifetime, many of whom paradoxically are much better known today. He could only partially approach the contemporary fame and social status of K. I. Dientzenhofer.
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