Wnętrza projektu Henry’ego van de Velde w sanatorium w Trzebiechowie (prace badawczo-konserwatorskie)

Abstract

Henry van de Velde interiors of sanatorium in Trzebiechów

Trzebiechów (Trebschen) is a small village in south-west part of Poland, near Sulechów. There are interesting monuments like palace (owed by family von Reuss) church and buildings of former sanatorium, where Old People’s House is situated now. The opening of complex of buildings and park of sanatorium took place in 1905. It was founded by owners of Trzebiechów Heinrich the VII-th von Reuss and his wife, princess Maria Alexandra, who had been leading the project of physiotherapeutic and dietetic sanatorium since 1897. The architectural plan was made by Max Schündler from Zwickau. Decoration and furnishings of representative interiors were projected by famous Belgian architect Henry van de Velde. The order for interiors’ projects of decoration was the first commission to be done during his successful period in Weimar and was probably made pararely to rebuilt of Friedrich Nietzsche Archives and raising of ‘Esche Willa’ in Chemnitz. Aristocratic order was an honour and in the same time demanding challenge. Creating plans of decoration van de Velde had to take into account already builded rooms. Builded in 1902-1905 complex of exclusive sanatorium rooms was closed after 4 years, probably for the reason of great costs of managing. Sanatorium was very modern and functional. There was a park with rosarium, deckchair hall, oxygen therapy room, library, reading room, social rooms, smoke room, gym and baths. Since 1974 in buildings of former sanatorium Old People’s House is situated. Main research in Trzebiechów was to reconstruct the original idea of coloristic decoration of interiors, their esthetic conception and technic they were made in. It was basic for conservation programme for the monument. The original paint layer of Belgian artist was hidden under numerous overpaintings. The discovery of decoration of Henry van de Velde in such big scale seems to be really important for history of art. The paint layer covers not only walls of the building, but also furnishing details, profiled doors, window frames, stairs and rails. Trzebiechów discovery after 100 years of being anonymous now reveals the beauty of totally unknown work of outstanding designer from Belgium. Quiet place rescued it from thefts and overpaintings helped original paint layer to keep its esthetic value.