Archive: Culture | Museums Museums
Mucha family voices concerns as Slav Epic goes on display in Prague
After many months of delays, and several years of arguing, the Slav Epic
will go on display in Prague’s Veletržní palác on Thursday. Alfons
Mucha’s Art Nouveau masterpiece has been at the centre of a heated
dispute between the town of Moravský Krumlov, where the 20 enormous
canvasses were kept until recently, and the City of Prague, which has made
no secret of wanting to put the work on permanent display. As for the
painter’s own wishes, the Slav Epic was willed to the Czech capital upon
his death in 1939, but on the condition that a special building was made
for it. That has never happened, much to the ire of the Mucha family. We
spoke with the painter’s grandson John Mucha in London, and asked how he
felt about the opening. More
Prague museum explores Journeys of Antonín Dvořák
Prague’s Antonín Dvořák Museum recently reopened after renovation with
a new programme dedicated to the life and work of the famous composer.
Entitled The journeys of Antonín Dvořák, it offers a new look at the
composer’s stays abroad. It also features an exhibition on Dvořák’s
Czech-American friend and collaborator, Josef Jan Kovařík, who worked
with Dvořák during his stay in New York. More
The Prague Police Museum - an institution that explores the history of police and crime in Czech lands
Tucked away in a former monastery in Prague’s Nové Město, the Czech
Police Museum boasts a fascinating permanent exhibit exploring the history
of Czech police, the development of criminology, infamous murder cases and
much more. Sarah Borufka went along and has this report. More
Leoš Válka – founder of Prague’s DOX Centre for Contemporary Art
Leoš Válka is one of the founders of the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art
in Prague’s Holešovice district, which in just a few years has become
one of the most important institutions of its kind in Central and Eastern
Europe. Válka has a perhaps surprising background for such a significant
figure in the Czech art world: for several years he ran a firm in Australia
doing maintenance work on high-rise buildings. More
Analysis Results – new Krištof Kintera exhibit perplexes and provokes
Krištof Kintera is one of the most respected contemporary Czech artists
– he was recently given the title Artist of the Year – and his new
exhibit offers an insight into his latest work. Provocative, whimsical and
daring, the “Výsledky analýzy” show is one of the season’s most
interesting exhibits. We take a look ahead of the opening. More
The Mánes Exhibition Hall – an icon of functionalist architecture
The functionalist Mánes Exhibition Hall, located on the right bank of the
Vltava river between the bridges Jiraskův most and Most Legií, is one of
only two buildings in Prague that were expressly designed to house art –
the other one being the famous Rudolfinum gallery. Martin Pavala, the
chairman of the supervisory board of the Czech Art Foundation, which owns
it, explains that the art gallery’s history started in 1930. More
The Museum of Decorative Arts – a must-see destination for fans of Czech design
Lovers of Czech applied arts and design will find a veritable treasure
trove of interesting items, ranging from glass wares to clocks and metal
works, in Prague’s Museum of Decorative Arts. Located right across the
street from the well-known Rudolfinum palace, the museum is housed in a
stunning Neo-Renaissance building. It was one of the last in Prague to be
designed in that style. The architect was Josef Schulz, who also was behind
the Czech National Museum. More
The Polemics of Miloš Jiránek on view at National Gallery
This Thursday saw the opening of a new exhibition at the National
Gallery’s Kinský Palace Stables Gallery marking 100 years since the
death of post-impressionist painter, man-of-letters and critic Miloš
Jiránek, who contributed strongly to the Czech “National Awakening” at
the end of the 19th century. Although he died at the age of just 35,
Jiránek was a most influential figure whose paintings, as well as written
works, have seen renewed appreciation. The show, entitled The Polemics of
Miloš Jiránek, features oils, water colours, drawings, and woodcut prints
– many of the images pristine, featuring earthy hues and soft light.
It’s a small show but well-worth seeing. More
Czech Museum of Music celebrates Dvořák's 170th birthday
It’s September, and all other anniversaries aside, that means the
birthday season of the genius Antonín Dvořák. Had the Czech musical
maestro lived to his deserved age he would be 170-years-old this month,
and
music-lovers and –ologists are marking the occasion with all due
enthusiasm. Alongside the Dvořák festivals and radio tributes this month
there is also the uniquely interesting, interactive Dvořák exhibition at
the Czech Museum of Music (Karmelitská 2, Malá Strana), which is our
destination in this week’s Spotlight. More
The Prague Police Museum - an institution that explores the history of police and crime in Czech lands
Tucked away in a former monastery in Prague’s Nové Město, the Czech
Police Museum boasts a fascinating permanent exhibit exploring the history
of Czech police, the development of criminology, infamous murder cases and
much more. Sarah Borufka went along and has this report. More
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