Ivan Prokop Muchka, Ivo Purš, Sylva Dobalová, Jaroslava Hausenblasová
The Hvězda [Star] Renaissance summer palace is one of the symbols of Prague. The collective of researchers under the direction of Ivan Prokop Muchka emphasises that the unusual form of the Hvězda Summer Palace and the exceptional artistic quality of its stucco decoration surpass anything that can be found in Czech or European hunting lodges. The authors of the book have placed the Hvězda Summer Palace in the context of Habsburg “leisure” architecture, but also in the context of European architecture. The universal idea of a building intended for seasonal relaxation in a green environment runs virtually unchanged throughout the whole of the early modern age; however, it takes on various concrete forms in diverse architectural projects. Among the specific features of the Prague summer palace that are analysed in detail in the text are the six-pointed star ground plan, the surprisingly monumental character of the building, its seemingly pointless fortress-like character, the extremely demanding technical nature of the roof, and the multisemantic yet playful iconography of the white stucco reliefs in the interior, evoking ancient Rome. In the same way, the game preserve surrounding the building (which already in Renaissance times was embellished by laying out wide avenues intersecting in the form of a star) is interpreted by the authors as an important element helping to create the character of the Hvězda. A key role in the construction of the summer palace was played by the Vice-Regent in Prague, Ferdinand II of Tyrol (1529–1595), who commissioned the building and was its “inventor”. His role at the court, humanist nature, and open social lifestyle all influenced the cultural environment in the places where he lived. The Hvězda Summer Palace was intended to make an impact with its artistic features, captivate the minds of viewers, appeal to their sense of beauty, and at the same time be used for sporting activities. The wealth of motifs and ideas that may have inspired the artists who decorated it are portrayed in the superb pictorial documentation of the book. The new photos of the stucco decoration of the Hvězda are the work of Vlado Bohdan.
First edition, in Czech, English summary, 569 p., colour illustrations, hardback, Praha 2014
ISBN 978-80-86890-65-4
