Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design Prague

Having been inspired by Gottfried Semper` s ideas and concepts, the School of Decorative Arts in Prague was founded in 1885. At that time it represented the first and only state school in Czech lands. The school itself was built between 1882 and 1885 according to the project designed by Františ?k Schmoranz junior and Jan Machytka. Originally, the School of Decorative Arts used the only wing facing Alšovo quay whereas the part facing the square and Rudolfinum was occupied by the Painting Academy. Although the architecture design and lay-out drew inspiration from Italian High and Late Renaissance palaces, the role of immediate models was played by Fine Arts Academies in Paris and Vienna. The purpose of the building can be seen not only in the large studio windows but also in the sculpture work applied. On the front of the academy one can read names of significant Renaissance and Baroque artists and find copies of Antique and Renaissance sculptures (Medici Venus, Urania Venus, Dancing Satyrs as well as Michelangelo´s Dawn and Twilight) placed in the important parts of the facade. The original wall painting and decoration has been partly preserved in the school gallery and in some parts of the school corridor.