Alois Folkman

Alois Folkman was a Czech sculptor honored in Prague by a modest granite plaque set into an apartment building on Americká street in the Vinohrady district. Unlike a monumental statue, this is an easy-to-miss tribute to a craftsman whose decorative carvings still adorn a handful of well-known Prague buildings.

Who was Alois Folkman?

Alois Folkman was born in 1850 or 1851 in České Kamenice and died on 4 December 1917 in Prague. He trained as a sculptor under Tomáš Seidan and Josef Václav Myslbek, and also spent time at the studio of Bohuslav Schnirch. Sculpture alone did not pay the bills, so for much of his career he supported himself through stonemasonry work. He was the father of Hanuš Folkman, himself a sculptor and teacher, and the husband of Anna, née Dimmerová.

What did he actually make?

Folkman worked mainly as an architectural decorator, producing sculptural detailing for building facades rather than freestanding monuments. His decorative work can be found on the Živnostenská banka and Zemská banka buildings in Prague. Together with his son Hanuš, he also contributed to the decoration of Wilson Station (today Prague's main railway station), designed by architect Josef Fanta. In 1902 he created a patinated plaster piece titled "Medúza."

Where exactly is the memorial plaque?

The plaque is mounted on the building at Americká 703/2, in the Vinohrady neighborhood of Prague 2. It sits on an otherwise ordinary residential building, so there is nothing about the facade itself that signals a sculptor is commemorated there — visitors looking for it need the exact address.

What does the plaque look like?

The granite plaque is positioned beneath a sculpted figure of Athena, the goddess associated with craftsmanship, wisdom, and victory — a fitting symbol for a working sculptor-decorator. Its inscription reads "Památce sochaře Folkmana 1851–1917," meaning "In memory of the sculptor Folkman, 1851–1917." The plaque was designed by his son, Hanuš Folkman, and unveiled in 1934, seventeen years after Alois Folkman's death.

Is it worth visiting?

This is not a conventional sightseeing stop — there is no museum, ticket booth, or visitor infrastructure attached to it. Its interest lies elsewhere: it is a rare public tribute to a decorative craftsman rather than to a famous artist or historical figure, and it points toward the often-overlooked people whose work shaped the appearance of Prague's grand buildings. For anyone interested in the architectural sculpture of Prague around 1900, it is a small but telling detour off the main tourist routes.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Alois Folkman? A Czech sculptor who lived from 1850/1851 to 1917, specializing in architectural decoration on Prague buildings.

Where is the memorial plaque located? On the building at Americká 703/2, in the Vinohrady district of Prague 2.

Who designed the plaque? His son, Hanuš Folkman, also a sculptor and teacher.

When was the plaque unveiled? In 1934, seventeen years after the sculptor's death.

Which buildings feature Alois Folkman's work? The Živnostenská banka, the Zemská banka, and, together with his son, Prague's Wilson Station.

What does the sculpture above the plaque depict? A figure of Athena, symbolizing craftsmanship, wisdom, and victory.