Exceptional Art: From Dürer and Titian to Mucha

Dürer, Titian, Rembrandt, Kupka, Mucha and Richter. Czech galleries and museums hold true artistic gems of global significance – from Renaissance paintings to a monumental epic and large-scale works by contemporary artists. Some pieces are of immeasurable value; others are fascinating for the stories they tell.

Albrecht Dürer and The Feast of the Rosary

National Gallery Prague (Schwarzenberg Palace)

One of the iconic paintings owned by the National Gallery in Prague draws attention not only from art lovers. This oil painting on wooden panel was created by Albrecht Dürer in 1506, commissioned by German merchants for the Church of San Bartolomeo in Venice. The painting depicts the ideal celebration of the Rosary Brotherhood. When you look at the painting, focus on the face of the man standing under the tree on the right – it is none other than Albrecht Dürer himself.

The only painting by Rembrandt on Czech territory is Scholar in His Study. It is part of the collections of the National Gallery in Prague.

This large painting is on display as part of the permanent exhibition Old Masters in the Schwarzenberg Palace, a dominant feature of Hradčanské Square in Prague, within sight of Prague Castle.

František Kupka Collection

Museum Kampa, Prague

'> Meda Mládková, art collector and admirer of František Kupka's work, standing by his painting Cathedral.

The collection of paintings by František Kupka, one of the most important abstract artists who gained international acclaim, is among the most significant parts of the Museum Kampa’s holdings. His works sell for tens to hundreds of millions of crowns. The permanent exhibition, divided into seven chapters, presents Kupka’s artistic journey. Choosing a single piece is difficult, yet the painting Cathedral stands out for its exceptional quality.

To see Amorpha: Fugue in Two Colours by František Kupka, head to the Trade Fair Palace of the National Gallery Prague.

Titian: Apollo and Marsyas

Picture Gallery, Kroměříž

This masterpiece by the Italian Renaissance painter Titian is considered one of the most valuable artworks in Czechia. It is admired by the entire art world. The exact circumstances of the creation of Apollo and Marsyas remain unknown. Titian painted it in his nineties, just before his death. Using broad brushes, palette knives, or even his own fingers, he captured ancient myths and Christian faith.

Kroměříž Chateau with its Flower Garden and Château Garden is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Titian’s painting portrays a brutal scene. The Satyr Marsyas, who played the flute, challenged the god Apollo to a musical contest. He had no chance of beating the god, as Apollo not only played the viola but also sang divinely. For his audacity, Marsyas was flayed alive. When in Kroměříž, ask the guide how the painting got there. There's an incredible story behind it.

Gerhard Richter: Uncle Rudi

Lidice Museum

One of the most valuable exhibits in the Lidice Museum is a painting by the renowned German artist Gerhard Richter. Based on a photograph of a relative in a Wehrmacht uniform, the painting became the foundation for what is now a very fine art collection in the village that was destroyed by the Nazis after the assassination of Acting Reich Protector Reinhard Heydrich on 27 May 1942.

The entire site of Lidice – the memorial, the Monument to the Child Victims of War, and the adjacent commemorative rose garden, which is one of the largest in Czechia – is well worth a full-day trip (about an hour from Prague). More than 24,000 rose bushes bloom there in 240 varieties, including the unique Lidice variety.

Alfons Mucha: The Slav Epic

Moravský Krumlov Chateau

The master of Art Nouveau, Alfons Mucha, created a monumental cycle of twenty paintings inspired by Slavic mythology. The canvases, each several metres in size, are best viewed as a whole, with the details appreciated gradually. Mucha had a remarkable command of light and shading. He presented the completed Slav Epic to the Czech nation as a gift.

The Renaissance chateau in Moravský Krumlov, near the South Moravian town of Znojmo, is worth visiting in its own right. If you’re keen to follow in Alfons Mucha’s footsteps, take a look at this article.

Krištof Kintera: The Demon of Growth

Museum of Decorative Arts, Brno

Krištof Kintera ranks among the most prominent contemporary Czech artists. His large-scale piece entitled The Demon of Growth is composed of multicoloured spheres and evokes the idea of uncontrolled proliferation. Within the exhibition space, it is an unmissable work.

You can read more about sculptures and public art here.

René Roubíček: Expo2

Museum of Glass and Jewellery, Jablonec nad Nisou

The renowned glass artist René Roubíček, one of the first in the world to give glass a completely new artistic expression – as visitors to EXPO 2025 in Osaka will see for themselves in the main mascot of the Czech national pavilion – also specialised in large-scale glass sculptures and chandeliers.

At the beautifully curated Museum of Glass and Jewellery in Jablonec nad Nisou, located in the glassmaking region of North Bohemia, you can see the spatial crystal object Expo2, which Roubíček designed for Preciosa, inspired by the world exhibitions in Brussels and Montreal.

Pilsen Madonna

Cathedral of St Bartholomew, Pilsen

The miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary, known as the Pilsen (Plzeň) Madonna, is one of the most precious Gothic monuments in Czechia. This rare sandstone statue from the 14th century is the protector of the city of Pilsen, famous for its beer. It is on display in the centre of Plzeň, in the Cathedral of St Bartholomew, specifically in its eastern chapel.