Josef Mánes

Josef Mánes (12 May 1820 – 9 December 1871) was a Czech painter.

Life He came from a family of painters, which included his father Antonín, his uncle and Director of the Prague Art Academy Václav, his brother Quido and his sister Amalie.

From 1866, his mental state worsened rapidly, afflicting him with bizarre behavior and obsessions. A recuperative trip to Italy failed to improve his health and he died in 1871, after much suffering. It is believed that his brain had been affected by syphilis or meningitis.

Work and honors

He produced many paintings in every genre from landscapes and portraits to ethnographic and botanical studies. He even did paintings of the twelve months (Calendar plate) in face of the Prague Astronomical Clock. Although his work was little understood or appreciated in his lifetime, he is now considered to be among the greatest Czech painters.

In 1887, the Mánes Union of Fine Arts was created in his honor. One of the central bridges over the Vltava River bears his name and includes a statue of the painter at the Old Town end. His image has appeared on several Czechoslovak and Czech postage stamps.

Gallery