This exhibition, named Memory of Landscape I Have Never Seen: Collections from National Gallery in Prague, shows 107 pieces of paintings that are carefully selected from 28 different Czech artists all comprising the collection of National Gallery in Prague from 1895 until 1943.

 

This exhibition is a huge breakthrough, and for the reason that it is the first exhibition of Czech art, many people are looking forward to seeing it. At the exhibition site, there were dozens of Korean and foreign visitors, their eyes filled with inspiration and wonder. Even to little children, the works approach them as something they can be seriously curious about.

 

Czech modern art has developed during the rapid socio-political changes between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This exhibition is divided into three sections that correspond to three different time periods. The time periods cover from the end of the 19th century, which was the starting stage of Czech art, to the outbreak of World War II when the freedom of artistic movements was restricted.

 

The first part of the exhibition, “Searching for Modern Expression,” covers the artworks from the first period, 1905 to 1917. This was the time when the art of the Norwegian artist, Edvard Munch, was presented in Prague, an event that had a huge impact on Czech modern art. Numerous superb paintings were created during this period, which embraced the features of Expressionism and gradually underwent a visual transformation into the Cubist style. Czech artists further innovated the aesthetic principles of this art movement and developed them into distinctive, wholly original forms.

 

When entering the exhibition hall, the visitors will first encounter the works of František Kupka and Emil Filla. Kupka is considered a pioneer of abstract art in Czech. His earlier works are figurative paintings inspired by Austrian culture and symbolism based on Greek myths, but he later gave himself over to abstract art.

 

The most eye-catching work was “Portrait of F. Kupka and Mrs. E. Kupkova.” This work was created in 1908 when the painter was in Paris; yet, he is wearing traditional Czech clothing with a wide red belt showing that he always remembered his identity as a Czech. The painting uses techniques like contrast of complementary colors with contrast of light and darkness. It also reflects Kupka’s characteristic of using rough brush strokes.

 

Also, as seen in the painting titled “Study for Autumn Sun,” Kupka became interested in ancient myths and culture and applied Symbolist styles to many of his works based on Greek myths as motifs. This painting also has vivid colors with low saturation, again using rough brush strokes.

 

Emil Filla led Czech cubism, inspired by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. Filla’s paintings are in earth tones and disassemble and reassemble objects. In later days, he painted many works of beasts from mythology. One of his next impressive paintings was “Morning.” The colors and composition of the painting resemble those of Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d'Avignon.”

 

The second part of the exhibition, marking the second period, is named as “The Informal Beauty of the First Republic.” The year 1918 marked the end of World War I and the establishment of the new, Czechoslovak State. The founding of the independent Czechoslovakia had a visible impact on the Czech fine arts: optimism and playful experimentation with form and content, on the one hand, and civilest and social themes on the other. A broad range of artistic approaches and subject matters emerged during this period; the paintings on display attest to the plurality and great variety that characterized Czech art during this second period.

 

Unlike the other abstract paintings, “Portrait of an Old Woman” by Miloslav Holy is considered as a frank depiction of people based on the socialist realism. On the other hand, some artists paid attention to landscape or nude paintings. “Three Sisters” by Frantisek Muzika look like they are part of illustrations in novels as many artists at the time worked in different fields from stage design to filmmaking.

 

Walking down the hallway, the visitors will get into the last part of the exhibition, called “Surrealist Imagination.” Having artworks ranging from 1930 to 1939, the third period broke away from its models, introducing its own concepts that resonated with the overall character of art abroad. Furthermore, the surreal and imaginary paintings expressed concern over the political and social developments that led to the tragedy of World War II. In this section, particular attention is given to paintings by Josef Šíma, who, close to Surrealism, adopted an innovative and creative approach to aspects of light and simple form, and to those of Emil Filla and his “Fights and Struggles” series.

 

The visitors may feel the Czech art unfamiliar and think the paintings are too abstract or gloomy. Czech art is less known compared to Czech music or literature, but the art shows the Czech artists’ agony over social situations and politics. Each and every artwork is original and seems to reflect the Czech culture. The characteristics of Czech art come from Slavic culture with nationalism and socialism.