Karel Hojden (1893-1975)

Academic painter and graphic artist who devoted most of his work to his hometown and mining.

He was born on 11 October 1893 as the fifth child of František Hojden and his wife Marie, née Pilous. The environment of a poor mining family and the modest conditions influenced Hojden's entire life and work.

After graduating from the burgher school in 1908, he went to Prague and privately studied painting. This was followed by an examination for the School of Arts and Crafts, where he was admitted in 1909. He spent the first three years in the general department and the next year in the special department under professors Schikaneder and Špillar. For excellent grades he received a one-time scholarship. In 1913 he was admitted to study at the Academy of Fine Arts under Max Švabinský. The war interrupted his studies at the graphic arts specialty. Several portraits from Dalmatia, as well as images of officers and members of their families and Russian prisoners of war, date from these years. From the end of the war also the largest etching created by the author - a view of the town of Cheb.

He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in 1921, then worked in Prague, and in 1922 for the patron Zlatník in Dvůr Králové (portraits and nature subjects). He then travelled to Paris on a Hlávek scholarship for a year's study, and shortly after his return he made a trip to Subcarpathian Russia. In 1924-1928 he worked as a professor at the gymnasium in Hlučín, Český Těšín (his first solo exhibition presents works from Paris, Subcarpathian Rus, subjects from Těšín and ex-libris).

In 1929, Hojden finally returned to his birthplace and thus to the themes he had already dealt with during his studies at the academy: the work of miners in the mines, the history of the town and its traditions. From the early 1930s comes a series of drawings dedicated to the mining catastrophe in Březá hora, "Havířské písně" (Songs of the miners), completed in the early 1950s, and from the late 1930s a series of etchings, "Miners' Songs", and dozens of prints with mining themes. From the 1960s comes a series of watercolours with a Christmas theme, documenting the original appearance of the town centre before the extensive redevelopment. The artist is approached by the town's inhabitants, and commissioned works are produced (portraits, numerous ex-libris and New Year's cards). He is also involved in promotional work, creating posters and diplomas, contributing regularly to the local magazine, and preparing covers for regional publications.

Along with themes appropriate to the time and the client, from the 1950s to the 1970s the author worked on biblical themes (presented to the public in 1990 at a large exhibition in the Ernestine Castle).

Karel Hojden died in Příbram on 5 May 1975. The inventory of his work includes over a thousand drawings and graphic works, the vast majority of which are thematically connected with his hometown.

Processed by: Hana Ročňáková