Zikmund Winter
27th December 1846 – 12th June 1912
ikmund Winter was born on 27th December 1846 in Prague. Here he spent childhood and students years, one year he lived in Pardubice and 10 years in Rakovník. He return to Prague as a mature man a known author of minor historical contributions to spent here the rest of his life and create his extensive cultural and historical works, readable stories, matured stories and only novel.
Winter was attending Old Town Academic grammar school in Prague´s Clementinum. Student friendship with Josef Stupecký (later important lawyer, academic and rector of Charles university) grew into a lifelong friendship. From later memories it is obvious, that Winter, as a student, felt intellectual background particularly in family of his friend Stupecký. After graduating Winter chose study of theology under the auspices of Czech order of Crusaders with red star, following year he enrolled to the philosophical faculty.
At the beginning of school year in 1873 Winter was appointed substitute in the secondary school in Pardubice. After one year of service there he went to secondary school in Rakovník. Where he worked as real professor of history and geography and occasional professor of both provincial languages (Czech and German). In Rakovník he was primarily dedicated to the work of a pedagogue. The memories of Winters pupils are evidence of his natural authority acquired by his dedicated interpretation with witty remarks. In 1883 on occasion of 50th anniversary of the secondary school he wrote history of schools of Rakovník, named About a Development of Education of Rakovník's region.
The working life is closely intertwined with personal life. During his work in Rakovník his mother died. In January of 1876 he brought his wife Marie from Pardubice. In Rakovník were born all three of his kids. Only two had a chance to grow up – Jaroslav and Josefina. In the times off he was preparing for rigorous exams. He got to them in March of 1879 and on the 7th of July was held graduation.
In the short time Winter was involved in cultural events in the city. He was singing solo and also with the Rakovník's vocal quartet. He was contributing to social importance of associating institution of that time – especially to singing and music club. He was singing baritone groups, contributed to programs and repertoire, wrote lectures of musical history and text to the compositions. In study group Vesna he was co-organizing theatre plays, entertainment and he organized federal library. Townsman council became supporting pillar of associational and enlightenment life in the 70´s – Winter was also singing, playing theatre, directing in here. Actively participated or was even an organizer of many cultural and social events, celebrations and anniversaries.
He began to show professional interest of the towns history in second half of his life in Rakovník. He was interested in old towns architecture. Manuscript Raconae vetus comes from his estate same as text to the artwork album of Rakovníks´seights. He campaigned the return of the gothic appearance of the Rakovníks cathedral and significantly contributed to the rescuing of the Rakovníks Pragues Gate. His interest brought him into towns archive. Great part of documentary heritage was related to the 16th century, when the city was experiencing economic and cultural advanment. The possibility of throrough study of that period probably decided about his scientific interest. He was publishing also outside of Rakovník. Magazine Method printed several of his articles (Building of st. Bartoloměj cathedral, Rakovník and its archeological seights dealing with the imortant buildings of the city, Inventary of catherdral items from 1636). Other larger study we can fing in magazine of Czech museum. The 16th century Rakovník created by many historical pictures was interest of Winter for learning about everyday life of townsfolk. Contribution City and region of Rakovník during Thirty years war portrays turbulent history of people plagued by army in times of violent process of recatholisation.
Winter drew from archive of Rakovník the ideas for the minor fiction works. After detailed introduction of history of the place, with contemporary realities and residents of that time, he was attempting to reconstruct individual stories. Mostly it was about contemporary lawsuits. Main characters of those “pictures” are real residents of the city; the plot is set unto familiar places and time, with detailed description of items of daily use. These readable works were published since 80s´of 19th century in the Světozor, Lumír, Ruch, Národní listy (National paper), České noviny (Czech paper). The most famous stories include Golgota, Příšera (Monster), Rakovnický primátor (Lord mayor of Rakovník), Nezbedný bakalář (Naughty bachelor), Do zeleného pokoje (In to the green room), O život (Regarding life). Shortly after leave of Winter from Rakovník the “Pictures of Rakovník” were published in a form of collection as Ancient pictures from Rakovnicko (1886). Second part was published in 1888 was already called Pictures of Rakovník. Mentioned volumes were published several times.
Winter sought the professorship at the State Institute several times. Throug the intercession of a friend he got job in prague´s Academic grammar school, where he was attending as a pupil. The change from Rakovník to here was difficult – he grow fond of the grammar school in Rakovník, he was binded by many friendships and filled with worries, that he will disapoint as a promising author of historical works.
Some evaluation to of Winters actions in Rakovník was viewed somewhat old-fashioned. However, its undenialbe, that the relation was beneficial for both sides. Winter was capable orginizer and he affected social live of the city significantly. In return he had a possibility of studium of archive, where he started to form his professional and artistic direction. Retrospectrively he had glorifed the city in the ficton and in essays and he help to residents of Rakovník rediscover richness of the city history.
Thus, Winter has find himself back in Prague, where he was teaching until his retirement in 1907. Social nature and reputation enabled to Winter the entrance to the world of historics and writers. He was fully devoted to school and he started to study the archives again.
Winter wrote matarialy demanding and thematically challenging scientific works in the cultural history field during his life in Prague. He summed up observations of urban life (1890, 1892)in Kulturní obraz českých měst, život veřejný v XV. a XVI. věku(Cultural image of Czech cities, public life in ages of XV. XVI.). Extensive two-part volume of Dějiny kroje v zemích českých od počátku století XV. až po dobu bělohorské bitvy – 1892, 1893 (History of folk costum in Czech countries since begging of 15th century till the time of Battle of White mountain) he cowrote with his rival in the cultural history field – Č. Zíbrt. Publication Život církevní v Čechách, kutlurně historický obraz z XV. a XVI. století – 1895, 1896 (Church life in Czech, historicly cultural image from 15th and 16th century) is evidence of wide interest.
From professional perspective Winter was interested in history of education in the period. In 1897 the Děje vysokých škol pražských od secesí cizích národů po dobu bitvy bělohorské (1409 – 1622) (Action of universities of Prague since Secessions of foreign nations till time of Battle of White mountine). In 1899 was published publication O životě na vysokých školách knihy dvoje, kulturní obraz XV. a XVI. století (About life at universities volume two, cultural image of 15th and 15th century), where are disccused issues of internal life of universities. Publication Život a učení na partikulárních školách v Čechách v XV. a XVI. století (Life and learning at the particular schools in Czech in 15th and 16th century) from 1901 describes types of lower schools and the methods of techaing in them. Topic of towns trades and crafts was processed by Winter already in Rakovník. Publication Dějiny řemesel a obchodu v Čechách ve XIV. a XV. století (History of crafts and business in Czech in 14th and 15th century was published in 1906 and in 1909 was published Řemeslnicto a živnosti XVI. věku v Čechách (Crafts and trades of 16th age in Czech). Archives provided that much material from the relevant century to Winter, that it was impossible process them in one volume. Sequel was to follow in publication Český průmysl a obchod měststký v XVI. věku (Czech industry and city trade in 16th age). Lately mentioned publication was published in 1913 by Dr. J. V. Šimák after the death of the athor. The interest in architecture brought Winter to coauthorship with J. Teige and I. Hermann and their publication Pražské ghetto (Prague´s ghetto). Last finished art-educational work for studing youth Zlata doba měst českých (Golden age of Czech cities) was published after death of the author in 1913 by J. Otta in Prague.
Winter dealt in his professional pieces practicly only with 16th and begging of 17th century. Bohemia was experiencing relativly quiet period leading to the Battle of White Mountain. Author wasn´t interested in high politics, he was attracted to everything related with ordinary life. The importance of his scientific work was in collecting enormous amount of materials and in carefoul links to sources. His treatises are written in style accessible to the readers. But Winters profesional work became target of the contemporary criticism. On the most frequent complaints – the mere gathering of facts without drawing the conclusions, lack of methodology, too popularasing style – Winter reacted with distaste boardering with touchiness. In time, when Winter was facing young critics, the most valuable ficton works were created. On the contrary, later historians were rating higly the amount of gathered material and reliability of the links.
In artistic production Winter gradualy came from „historical image“ to the novel. In 90s´ after the serie of Rakovníks images were published Pragues images based mostly on studies of pragues archival sources. In 1900 A. Jirásek, J. Thomayer, M. A. Šimáček, K. M. Čapek – Chod, K. V. Rais and Z. Winter founded magazine Zvon (Bell), in which were printed works of Winter (novels, stories) – Krátký jeho svět (Short his world)(1901), Proti pánům (Against the lords) (1902), Vojačka (Woman-soldier)(1902), Roznina sebranec (Rozina, the love child) (1902, 1903), Peklo (The Hell)(1903, 1904), Penečnice (Harlot) (1907). In 1907 The Bell printed the only romantic novel of Winter Mistr Kampanus (Master Kampanus). This piece showing the image of relations at Charles University around 1620 is till present one of the highlights of Czech historical prose. Winters prose are based from deep knowledge of the time and the place. Main charecters aren´t typical literal heros as are those of Winters contemporaries – they are ordinary figures controlled by environment and history. These pure and naive people doesn´t seem to fit into the rough times and unfriendly environment, they are weak individuals, they are subject to pressure of environment, own character and passion. Author, without unnecessary sentiment, guides them through tje story with understanding, bitter smile and slightly ironic view of history and of the role of human in them. Winters language is irreplacable. During the studing of the archive he acquinted himself in detail with contemporary expressive means and managed to use them masterfully in his prose so, that reader is completely drawn into the story due to detailed description of environment, facts and use of contemporary phrases with rough turns. In Winters work the profesional nad artistic interests are exceptionally interwined and the writer himself appears as distinctive character of Czech culture. Winter, during his life, recieved many honors (honorary membership in Museum assocciations, Diplom of honorary member of Historical assocciation, Diplom of member of Czech society of science and art and the apointment of 1st class secretary of ČAV, knight cross of Franz Josefs order, title of School councillor, he was elected writing member of Royal literary academy). Winters works were used as a draft for movie by filmakers in two cases. In 1945 the movie Rozina sebranec (Rozina, the love child) was projected and one year later the Nezbedný bakalář (Naughty bachelor), both movies were directed by O. Vávra). Looking back he evaluated his pragues actions as follows: „ My life in Prague until the old age passed monotonously, filled with hard and exhausting daily work at school, in the archive and home at the table, where I was trying to form my archival findings. Refreshment for me was theatre, which I loved passionately and walks, which I undertook every Sunday with little circle of a four friends. Permanent member of those Sundays journeys were Thomayer, Jirásek, Stupecký; in first years other were joining us such as Vrchlický, who was replaced by Rais in last years.“ Winter maintained likns in Rakovník even after his leave to Prague. Corespondece with mayors of Rakovník, with director of grammar school, with V. Teybal, with MSc. A. Nechleba was preserved. With his former student J. Renner (teacher, archivist and administrator of museum collection) he maintained richer written corespondence. Winter in autumn of his life welcomed the estabilishment of Museum assocciation for Rakovníks museum and he was very pleased being apointed as its honorary memeber. In March 1912 he wrote beautifull letter as thanks, it was the last letter which he sent to Rakovník. Winters legacy has been recalled in Rakovník several times on occassion of anniversary of his birth or death.
In 1907 steadiest friend Josef Stupecký died. Then even Winter started to feel the consequences of stay in the dusty archives. He was treating his coughing attacks and bronchitis in Hojná voda in Novohradské hory and in Bavarian spa Reichenhall. Here on the 12th June 1912 he died of pneumonia. At the Vinohrady cementary came to say goodbye also representatives of the city of Rakovník.
Winter was attending Old Town Academic grammar school in Prague´s Clementinum. Student friendship with Josef Stupecký (later important lawyer, academic and rector of Charles university) grew into a lifelong friendship. From later memories it is obvious, that Winter, as a student, felt intellectual background particularly in family of his friend Stupecký. After graduating Winter chose study of theology under the auspices of Czech order of Crusaders with red star, following year he enrolled to the philosophical faculty.
At the beginning of school year in 1873 Winter was appointed substitute in the secondary school in Pardubice. After one year of service there he went to secondary school in Rakovník. Where he worked as real professor of history and geography and occasional professor of both provincial languages (Czech and German). In Rakovník he was primarily dedicated to the work of a pedagogue. The memories of Winters pupils are evidence of his natural authority acquired by his dedicated interpretation with witty remarks. In 1883 on occasion of 50th anniversary of the secondary school he wrote history of schools of Rakovník, named About a Development of Education of Rakovník's region.
The working life is closely intertwined with personal life. During his work in Rakovník his mother died. In January of 1876 he brought his wife Marie from Pardubice. In Rakovník were born all three of his kids. Only two had a chance to grow up – Jaroslav and Josefina. In the times off he was preparing for rigorous exams. He got to them in March of 1879 and on the 7th of July was held graduation.
In the short time Winter was involved in cultural events in the city. He was singing solo and also with the Rakovník's vocal quartet. He was contributing to social importance of associating institution of that time – especially to singing and music club. He was singing baritone groups, contributed to programs and repertoire, wrote lectures of musical history and text to the compositions. In study group Vesna he was co-organizing theatre plays, entertainment and he organized federal library. Townsman council became supporting pillar of associational and enlightenment life in the 70´s – Winter was also singing, playing theatre, directing in here. Actively participated or was even an organizer of many cultural and social events, celebrations and anniversaries.
He began to show professional interest of the towns history in second half of his life in Rakovník. He was interested in old towns architecture. Manuscript Raconae vetus comes from his estate same as text to the artwork album of Rakovníks´seights. He campaigned the return of the gothic appearance of the Rakovníks cathedral and significantly contributed to the rescuing of the Rakovníks Pragues Gate. His interest brought him into towns archive. Great part of documentary heritage was related to the 16th century, when the city was experiencing economic and cultural advanment. The possibility of throrough study of that period probably decided about his scientific interest. He was publishing also outside of Rakovník. Magazine Method printed several of his articles (Building of st. Bartoloměj cathedral, Rakovník and its archeological seights dealing with the imortant buildings of the city, Inventary of catherdral items from 1636). Other larger study we can fing in magazine of Czech museum. The 16th century Rakovník created by many historical pictures was interest of Winter for learning about everyday life of townsfolk. Contribution City and region of Rakovník during Thirty years war portrays turbulent history of people plagued by army in times of violent process of recatholisation.
Winter drew from archive of Rakovník the ideas for the minor fiction works. After detailed introduction of history of the place, with contemporary realities and residents of that time, he was attempting to reconstruct individual stories. Mostly it was about contemporary lawsuits. Main characters of those “pictures” are real residents of the city; the plot is set unto familiar places and time, with detailed description of items of daily use. These readable works were published since 80s´of 19th century in the Světozor, Lumír, Ruch, Národní listy (National paper), České noviny (Czech paper). The most famous stories include Golgota, Příšera (Monster), Rakovnický primátor (Lord mayor of Rakovník), Nezbedný bakalář (Naughty bachelor), Do zeleného pokoje (In to the green room), O život (Regarding life). Shortly after leave of Winter from Rakovník the “Pictures of Rakovník” were published in a form of collection as Ancient pictures from Rakovnicko (1886). Second part was published in 1888 was already called Pictures of Rakovník. Mentioned volumes were published several times.
Winter sought the professorship at the State Institute several times. Throug the intercession of a friend he got job in prague´s Academic grammar school, where he was attending as a pupil. The change from Rakovník to here was difficult – he grow fond of the grammar school in Rakovník, he was binded by many friendships and filled with worries, that he will disapoint as a promising author of historical works.
Some evaluation to of Winters actions in Rakovník was viewed somewhat old-fashioned. However, its undenialbe, that the relation was beneficial for both sides. Winter was capable orginizer and he affected social live of the city significantly. In return he had a possibility of studium of archive, where he started to form his professional and artistic direction. Retrospectrively he had glorifed the city in the ficton and in essays and he help to residents of Rakovník rediscover richness of the city history.
Thus, Winter has find himself back in Prague, where he was teaching until his retirement in 1907. Social nature and reputation enabled to Winter the entrance to the world of historics and writers. He was fully devoted to school and he started to study the archives again.
Winter wrote matarialy demanding and thematically challenging scientific works in the cultural history field during his life in Prague. He summed up observations of urban life (1890, 1892)in Kulturní obraz českých měst, život veřejný v XV. a XVI. věku(Cultural image of Czech cities, public life in ages of XV. XVI.). Extensive two-part volume of Dějiny kroje v zemích českých od počátku století XV. až po dobu bělohorské bitvy – 1892, 1893 (History of folk costum in Czech countries since begging of 15th century till the time of Battle of White mountain) he cowrote with his rival in the cultural history field – Č. Zíbrt. Publication Život církevní v Čechách, kutlurně historický obraz z XV. a XVI. století – 1895, 1896 (Church life in Czech, historicly cultural image from 15th and 16th century) is evidence of wide interest.
From professional perspective Winter was interested in history of education in the period. In 1897 the Děje vysokých škol pražských od secesí cizích národů po dobu bitvy bělohorské (1409 – 1622) (Action of universities of Prague since Secessions of foreign nations till time of Battle of White mountine). In 1899 was published publication O životě na vysokých školách knihy dvoje, kulturní obraz XV. a XVI. století (About life at universities volume two, cultural image of 15th and 15th century), where are disccused issues of internal life of universities. Publication Život a učení na partikulárních školách v Čechách v XV. a XVI. století (Life and learning at the particular schools in Czech in 15th and 16th century) from 1901 describes types of lower schools and the methods of techaing in them. Topic of towns trades and crafts was processed by Winter already in Rakovník. Publication Dějiny řemesel a obchodu v Čechách ve XIV. a XV. století (History of crafts and business in Czech in 14th and 15th century was published in 1906 and in 1909 was published Řemeslnicto a živnosti XVI. věku v Čechách (Crafts and trades of 16th age in Czech). Archives provided that much material from the relevant century to Winter, that it was impossible process them in one volume. Sequel was to follow in publication Český průmysl a obchod měststký v XVI. věku (Czech industry and city trade in 16th age). Lately mentioned publication was published in 1913 by Dr. J. V. Šimák after the death of the athor. The interest in architecture brought Winter to coauthorship with J. Teige and I. Hermann and their publication Pražské ghetto (Prague´s ghetto). Last finished art-educational work for studing youth Zlata doba měst českých (Golden age of Czech cities) was published after death of the author in 1913 by J. Otta in Prague.
Winter dealt in his professional pieces practicly only with 16th and begging of 17th century. Bohemia was experiencing relativly quiet period leading to the Battle of White Mountain. Author wasn´t interested in high politics, he was attracted to everything related with ordinary life. The importance of his scientific work was in collecting enormous amount of materials and in carefoul links to sources. His treatises are written in style accessible to the readers. But Winters profesional work became target of the contemporary criticism. On the most frequent complaints – the mere gathering of facts without drawing the conclusions, lack of methodology, too popularasing style – Winter reacted with distaste boardering with touchiness. In time, when Winter was facing young critics, the most valuable ficton works were created. On the contrary, later historians were rating higly the amount of gathered material and reliability of the links.
In artistic production Winter gradualy came from „historical image“ to the novel. In 90s´ after the serie of Rakovníks images were published Pragues images based mostly on studies of pragues archival sources. In 1900 A. Jirásek, J. Thomayer, M. A. Šimáček, K. M. Čapek – Chod, K. V. Rais and Z. Winter founded magazine Zvon (Bell), in which were printed works of Winter (novels, stories) – Krátký jeho svět (Short his world)(1901), Proti pánům (Against the lords) (1902), Vojačka (Woman-soldier)(1902), Roznina sebranec (Rozina, the love child) (1902, 1903), Peklo (The Hell)(1903, 1904), Penečnice (Harlot) (1907). In 1907 The Bell printed the only romantic novel of Winter Mistr Kampanus (Master Kampanus). This piece showing the image of relations at Charles University around 1620 is till present one of the highlights of Czech historical prose. Winters prose are based from deep knowledge of the time and the place. Main charecters aren´t typical literal heros as are those of Winters contemporaries – they are ordinary figures controlled by environment and history. These pure and naive people doesn´t seem to fit into the rough times and unfriendly environment, they are weak individuals, they are subject to pressure of environment, own character and passion. Author, without unnecessary sentiment, guides them through tje story with understanding, bitter smile and slightly ironic view of history and of the role of human in them. Winters language is irreplacable. During the studing of the archive he acquinted himself in detail with contemporary expressive means and managed to use them masterfully in his prose so, that reader is completely drawn into the story due to detailed description of environment, facts and use of contemporary phrases with rough turns. In Winters work the profesional nad artistic interests are exceptionally interwined and the writer himself appears as distinctive character of Czech culture. Winter, during his life, recieved many honors (honorary membership in Museum assocciations, Diplom of honorary member of Historical assocciation, Diplom of member of Czech society of science and art and the apointment of 1st class secretary of ČAV, knight cross of Franz Josefs order, title of School councillor, he was elected writing member of Royal literary academy). Winters works were used as a draft for movie by filmakers in two cases. In 1945 the movie Rozina sebranec (Rozina, the love child) was projected and one year later the Nezbedný bakalář (Naughty bachelor), both movies were directed by O. Vávra). Looking back he evaluated his pragues actions as follows: „ My life in Prague until the old age passed monotonously, filled with hard and exhausting daily work at school, in the archive and home at the table, where I was trying to form my archival findings. Refreshment for me was theatre, which I loved passionately and walks, which I undertook every Sunday with little circle of a four friends. Permanent member of those Sundays journeys were Thomayer, Jirásek, Stupecký; in first years other were joining us such as Vrchlický, who was replaced by Rais in last years.“ Winter maintained likns in Rakovník even after his leave to Prague. Corespondece with mayors of Rakovník, with director of grammar school, with V. Teybal, with MSc. A. Nechleba was preserved. With his former student J. Renner (teacher, archivist and administrator of museum collection) he maintained richer written corespondence. Winter in autumn of his life welcomed the estabilishment of Museum assocciation for Rakovníks museum and he was very pleased being apointed as its honorary memeber. In March 1912 he wrote beautifull letter as thanks, it was the last letter which he sent to Rakovník. Winters legacy has been recalled in Rakovník several times on occassion of anniversary of his birth or death.
In 1907 steadiest friend Josef Stupecký died. Then even Winter started to feel the consequences of stay in the dusty archives. He was treating his coughing attacks and bronchitis in Hojná voda in Novohradské hory and in Bavarian spa Reichenhall. Here on the 12th June 1912 he died of pneumonia. At the Vinohrady cementary came to say goodbye also representatives of the city of Rakovník.