Josef Vojtech Hellich ( 17. 4. 1807 in Choltice - 22. 1. 1880 in Prague ) painter, graphic artist

He was the youngest of three brothers, later renowned patriots with painting and historical talents. Josef Vojtech Hellich studied at the Piarist Grammar School in Prague. At the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague he was a student of professors Josef Bergler and Frantisek Waldherr. In 1825 - in the first year of his stay at the Academy - he received an award from the director Bergler. In 1836, Josef Vojtech Hellich attracted the attention of the Czech estates, who provided him with financial support of 400 gold coins for a four-year tour of Italy, Switzerland, England and France. In Italy, there arose an archaeological interest, so after returning to his homeland in 1840 he began to develop his archaeological knowledge even more. It was established by the custodian of the archaeological collections of the National Museum; he held this function until 1846. Then he returned to painting and in 1847 completed in Vienna the painting of St. John the Evangelist. His work is decorated by many Czech churches, in larger and smaller villages.Love of history and antiques has accompanied Hellich throughout his life. He occasionally participated in the Museum until the 1970s. He contributed illustrations to the magazine Památky archeologické. Together with the writers Mikovec and Zap and the painter Kandler they published Antiques and Monuments of the Czech Land on the sequel. He was also the author of annual artistic awards for Mikov's Lumír.

In 1875 he co-founded the Christian Academy, where he worked in the art and archaeological department. For example, he created pictures of Czech patrons for prayers.

Hellich was very popular among contemporaries for carefulness, conscientiousness and friendly nature. His paintings were taken for example by Emperor Ferdinand Dobrotivy, Cardinal Schwarzenberg or Bishop of Ceske Budejovice, Jan Valerian Jirsik. in Prague.