Vojtch Hynais, mostly known as the author of the the National Theatre's stunning drop-scene.

He was born December 14, 1854 in Vienna, as the eldest son of a tailor. His family spoke Czech at home, read Czech books, followed Czech news. During his childhood, Vojtch, his brothers Jan and Cyril, and his parents spent a lot of time in the nature, the city park, or practising music. He made his final decision to study painting in 1868, inspired upon vsiting the exhibition of Jan Zelen. He took his studies at The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (since 1870), working under Carl Wurzinger; continued it in a renowned Anselm Feuerbach's studio since 1873 (the year of the World exposition in Vienna), thanks to whom he could pursue further studies in Venezia, Italy, funded by scholarships. While there, he visited Florence and Rome, and was commissioned for the first time to create the ceiling decoration and presbytery frescoes in esk dm (founded by Charles IV for Czech pilgrims). In 1876, he leaves for Prague, entering the competition to decorate the National Theatre. After his return to Vienna, bishop Strossmeyer assisted to manage his next stay in Paris, where he's influenced by his professor Jean-Lon Grme, associated with Vclav Brok, Ferdinand Nprstek, Josef Mnes and Josef Daubek, an art collector, who later became his benafactor. In 1878, Hynais and Brok participated at Salon. In 1880, Hynais finished his studies, in order to pursue an independent career. While still keeping in touch with Prague, he enters a competition for a decoration of the National theatre's royal lodge, eventually getting a commission to decorate the boudoir and a staircase. For the first part of the staircase, he painted the Allegory of Peace and the Allegory of the Czech lands. The Allegory of Nature and The Allegory of History were made for the front side. All of the paintings reaped a universal recognition, being supported by an architect Josef Ztek and an art historian Miroslav Tyr. For the boudoir, Hynais created the Allegory of the 4 seasons, named 'Poasy'. After a fire in the National theatre on August 12, 1881; the reconstruction was trusted to Josef Schulz. In the summer of 1882, Hynais was ordered to create a new drop-scene for the National Theatre, instead of Frantiek enek, who was a first choice but resigned on the deal. Hynais created a panoramatic painting of Slavia (Slavic goddess), grieving over the National theatre destroyed by fire; being joyous at the self-sacrifice of the nation donating presents to renew the theatre. At the time, 29 year old Hynais (with a help of two assistants) finished the painting in 90 days. The model for the character of Slavia was Suzanne Valadon, who was famous for modeling for Renoir, later being a painter herself. After the grand reopening of the theatre on November 18, 1883; Hynais returned to Paris, creating the Allegories of Music, Idyll, Dance, Poetry and Summer; later working on 4 lunettes for the Burgtheater in Vienna. By the end of 80's, his work is influenced by the birth of his son. At this time, the existential reasons drove Hynais to create designs for a porcelain factory in Svres, eventually turning out to be successful. An architect Josef Hlvka helps him out in his difficult financial situation. In 1894, Hynais again left for Prague to start working for the Academy of Fine Arts. 1898, his most renowned piece, Judgement of Paris is exhibited in Rudolfinum. At this time, he worked on a commission for Pantheon of the National museum (some of his work and info in Czech here), pieces named 'Umny', Inspiration, Power, Progress, Science. The last major work of Vojtch Hynais is a portrait of Tom Garrigue Masaryk, finished in 1923. Hynais also became a designate officer of Czech Legion in France the same year. He died due to lung cancer in 1925.