David Hoffmeister

Adolf Hoffmeister (1902–1973) was a multifaceted Czech figure whose career spanned writing, visual arts, law, and diplomacy. Born in Prague, he emerged as a founding member and managing director of the avant-garde group Devětsil in 1920. His early artistic endeavors included poetry and drawing, leading to his first book publication in 1922. Hoffmeister pursued legal studies, earning a doctorate in 1925, and also briefly studied Egyptology at Cambridge. He joined his father's law firm, which notably represented German exiles after Hitler's rise to power.

Throughout his career, Hoffmeister was a prolific correspondent and contributor to various magazines, often accompanying his writings with his own sketches and caricatures of prominent figures. He engaged with prominent artists and writers internationally, including Man Ray, Ossip Zadkine, Philippe Soupault, and James Joyce, even arranging the Czech edition of Joyce's *Ulysses*. His diplomatic roles included serving as editor for Voice of America during the war and later as the Czechoslovak ambassador to France. Hoffmeister's career was ultimately impacted by the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia.

Born in Prague in 1902, Adolf Hoffmeister grew up in an intellectually stimulating environment. He studied at a Prague gymnasium where he met future members of the avant-garde movement Devětsil, becoming its youngest managing director upon its founding in 1920. After graduating with a law doctorate in 1925, he also pursued studies in Egyptology at Cambridge. Hoffmeister's early creative output included poetry and drawing, with his first book published in 1922. He was involved in various artistic circles, including the New Group, and began contributing cartoons and illustrations to publications like *Rozpravy Aventina*.

Hoffmeister's career was marked by extensive travel and prolific output. He published novels and poetry collections, including "The Tropic of Capricornus" (1926) and "The Alphabet of Love" (1926). He was also known for his caricatures, which he contributed to newspapers and magazines, and for his work as an illustrator and cover designer for numerous publishing houses. His exhibitions, both solo and group, took place in Prague, Paris, and Brussels, showcasing his distinctive portraits and satirical works. He also engaged with theatre, contributing to plays and designing sets and posters.

Beyond his artistic pursuits, Hoffmeister had a significant career in law and diplomacy. He was a partner in his father's law firm, which represented German exiles. During World War II, he served as an editor for Voice of America. Post-war, he held the position of Czechoslovak ambassador to France. He was also a professor at the Academy of Arts and Crafts in Prague from 1951 and represented Czechoslovakia in international organizations such as UNESCO and the PEN Club. He chaired the Union of Czechoslovak Visual Artists and was a member of the International Association of Art Critics.