Prague, June 16 (CTK) – Unique photographs of Czech writer Karel Capek (1890-1938) by various authors, including unknown pictures from his public and private life, have been found in his villa in Prague-Vinohrady, Alice Nussbergerova, from the Prague 10 authority that owns the house, told CTK Tuesday.
The series also include pictures from Capek’s school years as well as pictures taken during his trips Europe and in the Czech countryside. Some of them depict his family members and map his friendship with first Czechoslovak president Tomas Garrigue Masaryk (1918-1935) and his work for the PEN club.
In addition, a collection of many portraits of Capek’s wife, actress Olga Scheinpflugova (1902-1968), have been found, both official photographs and those in which she was posing in various costumes from her theatre and film roles.
Karel Capek and his brother, painter and writer Josef (1897-1945), built the duplex villa in the Prague-Vinohrady neighbourhood in 1923-24.
The Prague 10 district bought the half where Karel Capek lived, including the period furnishing and other items, from the heirs in 2013.
Experts are now completing the stocktaking of the interior.
They uncovered the so far unknown photographs, including negatives, in the writer’s study in the attic.
The descendants of Karel Capek’s brother still live in the other part of the villa.
Karel Capek was a journalist and author of novels, dramas, travel books, stories and essays. His best known works include the dramas The Insect Play, R.U.R. and The White Disease, and the novel War with the Newts.
He was also an amateur photographer. His photos are currently on display in the National Technical Museum. The Prague 10 Town Hall plans to display also the newly found photographs.
