Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová were pioneering Czech glass artists whose collaborative work revolutionized the field of glass sculpture in the 20th century. Their innovative techniques and artistic vision earned them international acclaim and a lasting legacy in the world of contemporary glass art.

Early Lives and Education

Stanislav Libenský was born on March 27, 1921, in Sezemice, Czechoslovakia. He began his glass education in 1937 at the Specialized School of Glassmaking in Nový Bor. Due to the German occupation of the Sudetenland in 1938, Libenský moved to the school at Železný Brod and later to the Prague Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design (VŠUP), graduating in 1944.

Jaroslava Brychtová was born on July 18, 1924, in Železný Brod, Czechoslovakia. She studied sculpture at VŠUP, with her education interrupted by World War II. Her teachers included Karel Štipl and Jan Lauda.

Artistic Partnership and Techniques

Libenský and Brychtová met in 1954 and began their artistic collaboration. They married in 1963, forming a partnership that would last until Libenský’s death in 2002. Their work was characterized by a unique division of labor: Libenský created the designs and sketches, while Brychtová translated these into clay sculptures and managed the casting process.

The couple is renowned for developing and refining the mold-melting technique, which allowed them to create large-scale cast glass sculptures. Their artistic approach was influenced by early 20th-century Czech Cubism and metaphysical philosophy, often exploring abstract concepts such as the fourth dimension through the interplay of light and glass.

Notable Works and Exhibitions

Libenský and Brychtová’s breakthrough came at the 1958 Brussels Expo, where their “Animal Reliefs” (later known as “Zoomorphic Stones”) won a Grand Prix. This work, inspired by cave paintings from Altamira and Lascaux, established the foundation for their future sculptural techniques.

Their international recognition grew significantly after Expo 67 in Montreal, where they exhibited several large-scale sculptures that greatly influenced American and European studio glass artists. Throughout their career, Libenský and Brychtová participated in numerous exhibitions worldwide:

• 1989: Retrospective Exhibition, National Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic
• 1990: Retrospective Exhibition, Museum Bellerive, Zürich, Switzerland
• 1994: “S. Libenský and J. Brychtová: A 40-year Collaboration in Glass,” Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY
• 1997: Exhibition at Habatat Galleries, Boca Raton, FL
• 2014: Exhibition at the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA
  
  

Awards and Recognition

The couple’s innovative work earned them numerous accolades throughout their career. Their most notable recognition includes:

• Grand Prix at the 1958 Brussels Expo for “Animal Reliefs”
• Inclusion in major modern art collections, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria & Albert Museum
  
  

Legacy and Impact

Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová are considered among the most influential Czech glass artists worldwide. Their work bridged the gap between traditional Czech glassmaking and modern sculptural techniques, inspiring generations of glass artists.

Libenský’s role as a professor at the Prague Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design from 1963 to 1987 further cemented their influence on the field. Despite the challenges posed by the Communist government, Libenský and Brychtová managed to build worldwide interest in modern Czech glass art through their teaching, international lectures, and exhibitions.

The Stanislav Libenský Award, established in 2009, continues to honor their legacy by supporting and promoting young glass artists worldwide.

Stanislav Libenský passed away on February 24, 2002, at the age of 80. Jaroslava Brychtová continued their work until her death on April 8, 2020, at the age of 95. Their collaborative career, spanning nearly five decades, left an indelible mark on the world of glass art, pushing the boundaries of what was possible with the medium and inspiring countless artists to explore its sculptural potential.