The National Gallery Prague’s collection is not held in one building but rather in many historical and contemporary buildings throughout the city and is one of the largest and oldest collections of Art in Europe. As I was visiting the Czech Republic with my Mum and not by myself, I had to decide which one gallery I wanted to visit the most. I settled on Veletržní palác (the Trade Fair Palace) as this is the home of the gallery’s collection of Modern Art (including 19th, 20th and 21st century Art)
Here are my top three favourites
Panna by Klimt
oil on canvas
This was the first time I’d seen a piece by Gustav Klimt in real life, and I was really taken by it, the camera struggles to capture the true colours, which in real life are so much more sumptuous and intoxicating than the photo suggests.
Restless Dancer by Severini
oil on canvas
Gino Severini was part of the Italian Futurist Art movement, he painted Restless Dancer in 1911 after taking a trip to Paris where he was inspired by Cubism, you can see these different Artistic influences within the piece, which attempts to bridge French and Italian sensibilities. And I for one, love it!
Gismonda by Mucha
The Czech illustrator Alphonso Mucha was commissioned to make this poster for Gismonda, a comedy written by Victorien Sardou that was to be performed in Paris in 1895, the piece was printed onto lithograph posters and hung all over the city. More and more people requested posters and Mucha made a name for himself in illustrative advertising, his signature style remains so instantly recognisable and it was amazing to see this piece in the flesh.
