The painter, artist, and stage designer Theodor Pištěk has died at the age of 93

Prague - The painter, costume designer, and scenographer Theodor Pištěk passed away on Wednesday at the age of 93. His family informed ČTK today. He won an American Oscar in 1985 for the costumes for Miloš Forman's film Amadeus. His collaboration with him also earned him a César for Valmont (1990). He also worked with Forman on the film The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996).

Pištěk was a descendant of an artistic lineage. His father was a very popular actor of the same name, and his grandfather Pištěk was a musician and theater artist. Theodor Pištěk's mother was actress Marie Ženíšková.

Theodor Pištěk graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in 1958. Among his classmates were Jan Koblasa, Karel Nepraš, and Hugo Demartini. He also met the art critic and theorist Jindřich Chalupecký.

He participated in exhibitions of the Club of Concretists and contributed to the films of František Vláčil. He was the costume designer for the films Markéta Lazarová and The Valley of Bees. Pištěk's greatest success was his collaboration with director Miloš Forman on the films Amadeus and Valmont.

After the Velvet Revolution, Theodor Pištěk designed new uniforms for the Castle Guards at the request of President Václav Havel's office. In 2000, Havel awarded Pištěk the Medal of Merit of the 1st Class. He is also a recipient of the Czech Lion for his long-term artistic contribution and received the Crystal Globe from the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival for his contribution to world cinema.