The two-storey, corner building of the bank, on a prominent site opposite the town hall tower, was the result of modifications in 1926 to a previous building in Historicism style, according to a design by the architect Josef Mařík. The smooth facade is broken up with massive profiled cornices and, at first-floor level, with semi-cylindrical ornamentation above the windows. The spaces between the second-floor windows feature shallow pilasters with concave heads, as if in negative contrast to the first-floor ornamentation. These rounded ornaments, however repetitive, reveal the influence of the so-called National style. This style, with its diverse shapes, was to be the official style of the young Czechoslovakia, and was widely applied in designing buildings of public institutes. However, a section of the lay and professional public did not consider this Modernist facade to be suitable for its historical environment; one unnamed artist wrote of it, “...The building itself is nicely designed, but for the suburbs – for somewhere near the grammar school. It just does not fit in, neither in the square, nor opposite the town hall or below the Knight. I would say that was designed by someone who does not know Litomyšl and, moreover, who has never been to Litomyšl. Every visitor is taken aback and saddened by how the overall antique effect has been spoilt. It is an eyesore...“
Since 1927, the building's attic has been crowned with two allegorical statues symbolizing Diligence, Time and Frugality by Václav Macha (facing onto the square) and Industry and Ploughing by Karel Pokorný (facing onto Špitálská Street). Attached to the facade, there are two plaques commemorating personalities associated with the spot; one with a bust of Tereza Nováková by Jiřina Šimsová-Pfeifer (1928), the other featuring the historian Jan Voborník by Josef Šejnost (1935).
Great care was taken in designing the interiors, especially the vestibule, which was to be dignified yet amiable and gracious. The high interior space is illuminated naturally with a large Modernist skylight, and a narrow walkway circles the space at first-floor level, creating a sense of airiness. The walls are covered with panels of translucent glass, while the pillars at the counters are panelled in marble. The overall effect is rounded off with custom-made lights, fittings, signs, etc. However, the most distinctive interior feature is the allegorical wall painting from 1935 by František Ropek. The artist set the River Loučná in the centre of the painting and added significant Litomyšl buildings, and figures personifying music, literature and crops. All the above-mentioned features have survived to the present day, including the wall painting, which was restored in 1995.
AŠ – LB
