Josef Mocker (22 November 1835 – 15 November 1899) was a Czech architect and restorer. He worked in a purist neo-Gothic style and is the author of the reconstruction of many important monuments in Bohemia.
Josef Mocker was born on 22 November 1835 in Cítoliby. He studied at the Czech Technical University in Prague and at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. From 1863, he travelled through Austria, Hungary and Bavaria and gained valuable experience. In 1876, he was appointed Architect for Prague. He was a member of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Arts since its founding in 1890. He died in Prague on 15 November 1899, at the age of 63. He is buried at the Vyšehrad Cemetery.[1][2]
Work
Church of Saint Bartholomew in Kolín, reconstructed in 1878–1910Church of Saint Ludmila
Mocker's first project was the reconstruction of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, on which he participated in 1864–1869.[2] He became one of the most important Czech representatives of neo-Gothic architecture. He specialized in the restoration of monuments and was a supporter of the purist approach. He was the author of several publications on the issue of monument restoration.[1]
Although he is appreciated for his work, which resulted in many characteristic neo-Gothic monuments, he is also criticized for deviation from the original character of the buildings and often ruthlessly eliminating new styles, even if they were valuable. His role model was the French architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, the author of the neo-Gothic reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris, who was also criticized for his work.[1][3]
