Jubilee of František X. Beneš. Pioneer of heritage preservation in Bohemia and his preservation activities at monastery in Sedlec near Kutná Hora
Abstract
This article is firstly dealing with the introduction of František X. Beneš (1816-1888), almost unknown representative of the beginnings of organized heritage preservation in Bohemia and preservationist of the Čáslav region.
It also serves as a reminder of the 200th anniversary of his birth. The second part of the article is dedicated to the demolition of the great hall ceiling in former monastery at Sedlec near Kutná Hora in 1856 which was decorated with unique frescos by Juda Tadeáš Supper.
Beneš led the effort to arrange a photographic documentation of the endangered paintings before the demolition. Thanks to very well-preserved written estate of Beneš, which includes almost complete official correspondence of his that depicts the course of his actions day by day, this case represents a great example of possibilities and approaches in the heritage preservation field during the 1860s.