St. George's Convent: Collection of 19th-century Art in Bohemia
Permanent Exhibition of the Collection of 19th-century Art National Gallery in Prague
In spring 2008, the interior spaces of the former St. George's convent for Benedictine nuns at Prague Castle underwent
reconstruction and were adapted to house the Gallery's permanent exhibition of 19th-century art.
The purpose of the exhibition has been to offer visitors comprehensive information and an objective overview with regard to the development of visual arts created in the 19th century in Bohemia and to the way its distinctive aspects were formed. Moreover, the exhibition acquaints viewers with the art's characteristic features, as well as its differences and particularities within the colourful mosaic of European culture of that epoch.
Arranged according to their period of execution and theme, the exhibits are displayed in nine different sections. Each section comprises representative works by prominent exponents of individual artistic trends. This overall concept is aimed at introducing 19th-century art in a new light. After all, it is only natural that each new installation offers a fresh view and certain modifications to the evaluation of the period under consideration. It is quite legitimate that besides time-honoured traditions and values, each new interpretation is also charged with currently upheld views that are invariably influenced by opinions prevalent during the period we live in, as well as by one's own philosophies and personalities. Over time, and with our increasing knowledge and reconsiderations, the criteria through which we judge the arts of the past tend to evolve. This is why with each new art installation we perceive the 19th century somewhat differently. In recent years, there has been a growing tendency to dismiss the patriotic accent in Czech art of the 19th century. However, this was a characteristic phenomenon inherent to the period, as well as its driving force and source of inspiration. This was particularly true of artists active during the second half of the 19th century, who - through their creative output - programmatically promoted national awareness. Deserving of note in this connection is the allegorical glorification of national conscience, so important to the painters and sculptors engaged in the decoration of the National Theatre and National Museum in Prague.
Covering the period roughly between 1790 and 1910, the cultural climate in Bohemia, especially Prague, is presented to visitors through a body of paintings and sculptures, architectural models and sketches for tombstones and monuments, portraits and busts of noted personalities of the country's social and cultural scene, as well as through fine examples of decorative art. The exhibition includes collections of glass, porcelain, silver, furniture and clothing, on loan from the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, that document the lifestyle and tastes of 19th-century society, and two architectural models from the National Technical Museum. Endowed with comparable aesthetic values and derived from the same ideas, concepts and principles, the paintings, sculptural works and decorative art on display eloquently testify to their period and place of origin, as well as to the social climate of that era.
The goal of the newly conceived exhibition, recently installed in St. George's Convent, has been to capture the viewers' curiosity and to remind them of the country's past. It is our wish that they will find the exhibition a delightful and visually pleasing experience.
The permanent and short-term exhibitions in St. George's Convent are made possible to schools and the general public through the educational programmes organized by the Education Department of the National Gallery's Collection of 19th-century Art. Apart from its offer of relevant information, its activities include guided tours, lectures, art history courses, children's and parents' workshops, student and adults' workshops, and educational programmes for kindergartens and elementary and secondary schools. For more on the Department's accompanying programmes, please visit www.ngprague.cz, or send an email to vzdelavani@ngprague.cz.
There is a new exhibition at the Prague Castle. It shows unknown and unique art of Bohemian Reformation from period 1380 - 1620.
