Jan Blahoslav Novotný

Jan Blahoslav Novotný was a Czech stage designer, costume designer, and caricaturist, also known under the pseudonyms Jan Blažej Novotný and Jebenof, which he used to sign his work. A graduate of the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague (VŠUP), he soon became a sought-after collaborator of leading Czech theatres – from the National Theatre and the Prague City Theatres to regional stages. His designs were praised for their originality, attention to detail, and ability to capture the atmosphere of a production. Critics highlighted his “visual imagination and sense of atmosphere,” calling him “an artist who brought Czech scenography closer to modern fine art.” Beyond theatre, he also worked for film and television, with his sets and costumes forming an important part of Czech cultural history.