MARIONETÁŘ JOSEF ŠIMEK A „JEHO“ LOUTKY VE SBÍRCE MORAVSKÉHO ZEMSKÉHO MUZEA V BRNĚ
MARIONETIST JOSEF SIMEK AND "HIS" PUPPETS IN THE COLLECTION OF MORAVIAN MUSEUM IN BRNO

Summary/Abstract: Josef Šimek represents the typical Czech marionettist of the late 19th and early 20th century. A range of valuable authentic materials are preserved among his effects; the most precious of these include a set of 24 marionette figures. The article elucidates Šimek’s work and traces the general advance in his knowledge, from a study of his notes on “gigs” in two tour diaries written in 1897-1914 and 1919-1937. The author takes a closer look at the above-mentioned collection of marionettes, he subjects it to a more detailed analysis from the standpoint of the typology of characters and the origins of individual figures. He poses the question of the degree of authenticity of this collection and examines its testimonial value regarding the form of Šimek’s theatre. Based on confrontation of the authentic material with the accompanying documentation and the memoirs, he assesses the trustworthiness of the information available hitherto. His conclusion is that the preserved set of puppets evidently does not correspond to the authentic state of equipment of Josef Šimek’s theatre.

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