The monograph presents the versatile work of Josef Gočár

Prague - The newly published comprehensive monograph on Josef Gočár presents the architectural work, furniture design, and teaching activities of one of the most significant Czech architects. The book, consisting of 440 pages with 535 images and photographs, was published by Titanic Publishing. Today, one of the authors, Zdeněk Lukeš, introduced the publication to journalists at Gočár's House at the Black Madonna.
    "The aim of the book is to present the wonderful personality of Czech culture," said Lukeš. According to him, Gočár's work underwent a complicated evolution from Art Nouveau through modernism, cubism, national decorative art, so-called Dutch rationalism, and modern classicism to avant-garde styles such as constructivism and functionalism. "In each era, Gočár left very significant traces, and several buildings have become outright icons of individual styles," Lukeš stated.
    A typical example of a modernist house is Wenke's house in Jaroměř, while cubism is represented by the Palace at the Black Madonna in Prague, and the Legiobank building on Prague's Poříčí serves as an example of national decorative art. Gočár is also credited with one of the flagship buildings of functionalism, St. Wenceslas Church in Prague's Vršovice.
    The book also presents Gočár as an outstanding urban planner. His sensitivity to the creation and organization of cities is evidenced by Hradec Králové, in which he significantly influenced its current appearance.
    The book also recalls Gočár's designs for furniture and interior accessories. The authors familiarize readers with monument designs and unrealized projects, such as the extension of the Old Town Hall from 1909 or variants of the State Gallery complex on Prague's Kampa and Letná.
    Josef Gočár was, among other things, the initiator of the establishment of the Prague Artistic Workshops, chairman of the Group of Visual Artists, chairman of the Mánes Society, a member of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences and Arts, as well as the rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. The publication records all of these aspects of his life.
    The book's authors include Pavel Panoch, Daniela Karasová, and Jiří T. Kotalík. The photographs were taken by Ester Havlová, Štěpán Bartoš, and Pavel Frič. The book also includes a variety of archival photographs and documents, some of which were provided by the architect's granddaughter, Lucie Gočárová.