# Illustrovaný svět

> former Czech magazine (1901-1904)

**Wikidata**: [Q100033000](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100033000)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/illustrovany-svet

## Summary
*Illustrovaný svět* was a Czech magazine published from 1901 to 1904 by the publishing house Jan Otto in Prague. It served as a significant cultural and informational periodical during its brief run, offering illustrated content under the subtitle *velké vydání "Besed lidu"* (large edition of "Besed lidu").

## Key Facts
- **Title**: *Illustrovaný svět* (Illustrated World)
- **Subtitle**: *velké vydání "Besed lidu"* (large edition of "Besed lidu")
- **Inception**: 1901
- **Dissolution**: 1904
- **Publisher**: Jan Otto (Publishing house Jan Otto)
- **Place of Publication**: Prague, Czech Republic
- **Language**: Czech
- **Instance of**: Magazine (periodical, communications media, mass media, print-native publication)
- **Wikidata Description**: Former Czech magazine (1901–1904)
- **Commons Category**: [Illustrovaný svět](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Illustrovan%C3%BD_sv%C4%9Bt)
- **Digital Availability**: Accessible via [Kramerius NDK](http://krameriusndk.nkp.cz/search/handle/uuid:c5d4b9a0-d701-11e5-964f-005056825209)
- **Czech National Bibliography ID**: cnb001786735 (referenced as of 2020-10-06)
- **Kramerius of Moravian Library UUID**: c5d4b9a0-d701-11e5-964f-005056825209 (referenced as of 2021-07-29)
- **Sitelink Count**: 1 (Wikidata)

## FAQs
**What was *Illustrovaný svět*?**
*Illustrovaný svět* was a Czech illustrated magazine published weekly or monthly between 1901 and 1904. It was part of the broader tradition of periodicals in Central Europe, offering visual and textual content to Czech readers.

**Who published *Illustrovaný svět*?**
The magazine was published by Jan Otto, a prominent Czech publisher based in Prague. His publishing house was known for producing educational and cultural materials during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

**Where can I find digitized copies of *Illustrovaný svět*?**
Digitized issues are available through the Kramerius NDK platform, hosted by the National Library of the Czech Republic. The direct link to the collection is [here](http://krameriusndk.nkp.cz/search/handle/uuid:c5d4b9a0-d701-11e5-964f-005056825209).

**How long was *Illustrovaný svět* in circulation?**
The magazine had a short run, spanning only three years from 1901 to 1904. Despite its brevity, it contributed to the Czech media landscape of the era.

**What does the subtitle *velké vydání "Besed lidu"* mean?**
The subtitle translates to "large edition of *Besed lidu*," suggesting a connection to *Besedy lidu* ("People’s Lectures"), a Czech educational and cultural movement. This implies the magazine may have had an educational or populist orientation.

## Why It Matters
*Illustrovaný svět* represents a snapshot of early 20th-century Czech media, reflecting the cultural and intellectual currents of the time. As an illustrated magazine, it played a role in visual storytelling and public engagement, bridging literature, art, and current affairs. Its digitization ensures preservation of a fleeting but historically significant publication, offering researchers and enthusiasts insight into pre-World War I Czech society. The magazine’s connection to Jan Otto’s publishing house also highlights the broader ecosystem of Czech periodicals, which were instrumental in fostering national identity and literacy during the Austro-Hungarian era.

## Notable For
- **Early Czech Illustrated Journalism**: One of the illustrated magazines in the Czech lands during the early 1900s, combining text and visuals to engage readers.
- **Short but Impactful Run**: Despite lasting only three years (1901–1904), it contributed to the diversification of Czech media.
- **Association with Jan Otto**: Published by a key figure in Czech publishing, linking it to a legacy of educational and cultural dissemination.
- **Digitally Preserved**: Available in full via the Kramerius NDK platform, making it accessible for modern research.
- **Subtitle Hinting at Cultural Ties**: The reference to *Besed lidu* suggests alignment with populist or educational movements of the time.

## Body
### History and Publication
*Illustrovaný svět* was launched in 1901 in Prague, during a period of growing Czech national consciousness under Austro-Hungarian rule. The magazine was published by Jan Otto, whose eponymous publishing house was a cornerstone of Czech literary and educational output. The title translates to "Illustrated World," indicating its focus on visual content alongside written articles. Its subtitle, *velké vydání "Besed lidu"* ("large edition of *Besed lidu*"), ties it to the *Besedy lidu* movement, which organized public lectures and cultural events to promote education among Czech-speaking populations.

The magazine ceased publication in 1904, making its existence relatively brief. The reasons for its discontinuation are not specified in the source material, but its short lifespan was not uncommon for periodicals of the era, which often struggled with financial viability or shifting audience interests.

### Publisher and Context
Jan Otto (1841–1916) was a prolific Czech publisher and bookseller who founded his publishing house in 1869. His work was instrumental in disseminating Czech-language literature, textbooks, and periodicals, contributing to the Czech National Revival. *Illustrovaný svět* was part of Otto’s broader portfolio, which included encyclopedias, novels, and educational series. The magazine’s publication in Prague, the cultural and political heart of the Czech lands, underscored its role in the urban intellectual milieu.

### Content and Format
As an illustrated magazine, *Illustrovaný svět* likely featured a mix of news, cultural commentary, literature, and visual art. Illustrated periodicals of the time often included engravings, photographs, or artistic renderings to accompany articles, making them more accessible and engaging to a wider audience. The "illustrated" aspect suggests a focus on visual storytelling, which was increasingly popular in European magazines during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

### Digital Preservation and Accessibility
The magazine’s issues have been digitized and are accessible through the Kramerius NDK platform, a digital library managed by the National Library of the Czech Republic. The collection is identified by the UUID `c5d4b9a0-d701-11e5-964f-005056825209`, ensuring permanent access for researchers. This digitization is part of a broader effort to preserve Czech cultural heritage, allowing modern audiences to explore historical periodicals that might otherwise be lost to time.

The Czech National Bibliography assigns it the identifier `cnb001786735`, cataloging it as a significant work in Czech bibliographic records. This formal recognition underscores its place in the country’s publishing history.

### Classification and Relationships
*Illustrovaný svět* is classified as a magazine, a subclass of periodical literature, communications media, and print-native publications. It shares characteristics with other illustrated magazines of its time, such as *Světozor* (another Czech illustrated periodical), though it predates many later 20th-century titles. Its relationship to *Besed lidu* suggests it may have served an educational or community-oriented purpose, aligning with the movement’s goals of public enlightenment.

### Legacy and Significance
Though short-lived, *Illustrovaný svět* contributes to the understanding of early Czech media and the role of illustrated magazines in shaping public discourse. Its digitization ensures that scholars of Czech history, media studies, and cultural studies can examine its content, design, and editorial choices. The magazine also reflects the broader trends in Central European periodicals, where illustrated formats became a tool for both entertainment and nation-building.

### Related Entities
- **Jan Otto (Publisher)**: Founder of the publishing house responsible for *Illustrovaný svět* and numerous other Czech-language works.
- **Besed lidu**: A Czech educational and cultural movement that likely influenced the magazine’s content or audience.
- **Kramerius NDK**: The digital platform hosting digitized issues of the magazine, managed by the National Library of the Czech Republic.
- **Czech National Bibliography**: The official bibliographic record assigning the magazine the identifier `cnb001786735`.

### Technical and Bibliographic Details
- **Wikidata Entry**: The magazine is documented in Wikidata with a single sitelink (Commons) and a description noting its former status.
- **External Identifiers**:
  - **Kramerius UUID**: `c5d4b9a0-d701-11e5-964f-005056825209` (referenced 2021-07-29).
  - **Czech National Bibliography ID**: `cnb001786735` (referenced 2020-10-06).
- **Language**: Exclusively published in Czech, targeting a Czech-speaking readership.
- **Physical Format**: As a print-native publication, it would have been distributed in physical form, likely with illustrated covers and internal artwork.