František PEČENÝ

František Pečený was a pioneering figure in Czechoslovak pressed glass design and one of the most prominent representatives of the post-war generation of glass artists. His career began with studies at the Glass School in Železný Brod (1936–1939), followed by training at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague (1939–1943), where he studied under renowned professors František Kysela and Jaroslav Novák.

After the war, he briefly worked as a porcelain painter at the Amphora ceramics factory in Trnovany near Teplice (1945–1946), and later as a draftsman and designer at the Inwald glassworks in Dubí (1946–1947). A turning point in his career came in 1947, when he joined the Heřmanova Huť glassworks (later part of Sklo Union), where he remained active as an in-house artist and designer until his death in 1977.

As a company designer, he helped shape the majority of the factory's output for over three decades. He created both hand-pressed decorative and table glass, as well as mass-produced utilitarian glassware. He closely collaborated with the Central Art Studio for the Glass and Fine Ceramics Industry in Prague and later with the Artistic Technical Center for Pressed Glass in Teplice.

From the very beginning, Pečený sought to elevate pressed glass to the level of artistic expression, distancing it from mere imitations of cut glass. His designs were marked by a focus on the optical qualities of glass, clean forms, and simple surface textures. In later years, he introduced lens-like optical effects, and in the 1970s, as a true master of decoration, he developed bold relief motifs, often inspired by plant ornamentation.

In 1965, he suffered a serious accident, which resulted in the loss of one eye. Nevertheless, he returned to work after recovery and continued to create. His pressed glass designs were exhibited at numerous prestigious shows, including EXPO 58 in Brussels, Czechoslovak Glass – Moscow 1959, and Czech Pressed Glass – Gottwaldov 1972.

Throughout his career, he received numerous design awards that reflect the high quality and innovative nature of his work:

• 1974 – a set of decorative and utilitarian glass (cat. no. 20270, 20272, 20273, 20245, and 20248) was awarded the title Excellent Product of the Year
• 1975 – a vase and bowl (cat. no. 20265, 20266) received the title Best Product of the Sector
• 1977 – a vase and bowl (cat. no. 20282, 20281) were again awarded as the Best Product of the Sector
• 1978 – vases (cat. no. 20300, 20307) received the title Best Product of the OBAS Concern Enterprise

František Pečený left a significant mark on the history of Czechoslovak glass design, and his contribution continues to inspire contemporary designers. Over the course of three decades of creative work, as many as 180 of his designs were realized by the Sklo Union company, testifying to his exceptional dedication and creative perseverance.