Vila Helenka - The Art Nouveau jewel in our offer
Art Nouveau
From the original Latin expression of „secessio“, Art Nouveau is the last artistic style, which has influenced all kind of arts, especially architecture, painting, sculpture and literature. It was created in the late 19th century as a response to cumbersome traditional and classical art. Around 1900 the Art Nouveau style was at the height of the glory and its influence was the most striking in European countries. The center of this artistic style was Vienna, Paris and Prague, where we will introduce you one of the properties – the villa Helenka, which you will find exclusively in our real estate office.
Architecture
A major break in the Art Nouveau architecture was the use of entirely new materials, especially steel and reinforced concrete, buildings with large glazed surfaces, which was unthinkable until then. It was very close to the sculpture-related architecture – almost all of the sculptural works were or associated with a building. Mostly it was mounted directly on the walls of the buildings and depicted historical or patriotic motifs.
Painting
Painting is very significant during the Art Nouveau era. The most important element was graphics, which is a very typical drawing style for this period – clear and distinct lines and contours that clearly defined the themes of the works. The most common were plants, animals, and, of course, human motives. You can admire a beautifully decorated façade with floral patterns, for example at the villa of Helenka, on the west side of which is the figure of an angel and the Sun-dial on the south side. Art Nouveau paintings always worked very harmoniously, using ornamentalities, silhouettes of subtle colors – all with sophistication and lightness. Also the portrayal of women was very specific – as bearers of beauty and sexuality; they were depicted as etheric beings, mysterious, seductive, independent, full of passion and female power. The most important personality of Art Nouveau in our country was Alfons Mucha (1860 – 1939), whose works are considered to be a Czech national heritage.
Art Nouveau in Prague architecture
The first Art Nouveau building in Prague was the Café Corso in Na Příkopě St., designed by the famous architect Bedřich Ohmann. Café Corso unfortunately does not exist today and there is a rather austere palace called Příkopy. Another important building is the National House of Smíchov at Zborovská Street or the National House in Hybešov Street in Karlín. The most prominent architects of the Prague Art Nouveau include Osvald Polívka, Antonín Balšánek, Josef Fanta and Bedřich Bendelmayer. The first two mentions are the authors of the unique, noble building of the Municipal House in the Old Town from 1905–1911, standing at Náměstí Republiky next to the Gothic building Prašná Brána. The beautiful rooms at the head of the Smetana Hall will amaze with top-class artwork, perfectly sophisticated details or intricate floors.
Villa Helenka
Villa Helenka is one of Prague's unique Art Nouveau architectural monuments, one of the most important buildings of European architecture. It is located in the famous neighborhood of Art Nouveau villas on the outskirts of Malvazinky. It was built in 1903 by Ing. architect Alois Korda, whose purpose was to create a unique residential home for himself and his family. The villa at first glance is envisioned by carved balconies, elaborate frescoes, stuccoes and, above all, beautifully decorated facade which is the work of the painter František Kobliha.
Helenka underwent two complete reconstructions, including her artistic facade. On five floors you will now find a total of twenty stylish rooms divided into more or less separate units with nine bathrooms. Each of the rooms has a unique interior design and original design – for example, the English Room, the Chinese Room, the Golden Room or the Paved Room.
In the attic of the villa was created a luxurious modern duplex with a roof terrace – airy, designed with glass partitions, stylish kitchen and lift to the apartment. On the top floor of the villa there is a study in a tower with circular windows, which are a completely unobservable iconic element of the villa. It was also thought of an apartment for the caretaker, which is located in the basement, it includes a kitchen, a social area and a technical room. The villa is surrounded by a garden with patios for sitting and by a pond. Helenka can now serve as a residence, an above-standard office, an institution or embassy. An entirely unique investment opportunity would be to transform this beautiful Art Nouveau villa into an apartment boutique hotel.
You can see the villa's advertising here.
Interested in more? Contact our real estate broker Ing. Šárka Tichou at +420 734 445 445 or e-mail sarka.ticha@luxent.cz.
www.pamatky-praha.cz, www.artmuseum.cz
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