SIDONIE NÁDHERNÁ

Baroness, the muse of artists, one of the first chauffeuse in Bohemia, but also beautiful woman, very intelligent companion (she spoke Czech, German, English, and understood French and Italian) with big talent to understand and listen people.There is many others attributes how to describe this unusual women with strong life story. Her surname "Nádherná" in czech language means beautiful. We can say lot of things about her life, unusual, interesting, everything just not beautiful.

Portrait by Max Švabinský

Sidonie was born and lived in chateau Vrchotovy Janovice. She lived there with her two brothers. With her progressive way of thinking and strong love to culture, she invited many outstanding persons to chateau and with her love to nature and animals she spent  time to take care about chateau park. With her car she drove to France, where she visited atelier of August Rodin, Switzerland and Italy. She also visited North Africa and Near East.

Portrait by Max Švabinský

She inspired Max Švabinský, she was good friend with the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke. And lover of Karel Kraus (journalist, critic and publisher of magazine called "Die Fackel") During her life time, she slowly lost all and everything what she loved. 

Vrchotovy Janovice Chateau

Nazis took her chateau and later on with Red Army she lost the beautiful parc. All furniture from interiors were stolen, shrubbery and noble herbage was stolen from the park. In 1949 frustrated Sidonia crossed the border with Germany only with one piece of luggage. She ended up in England where she died one year later. A few years ago, the box with books and famous portraits of her was found in Dutch embassy in Prague.