I alluded to this visit in a previous post, but I adored the National Gallery in Prague. Specifically, the Trade Fair Palace‘s collection.
Honestly, my phone is clouded with pieces from The National Gallery. In a gallery that had a lot of body hair, cats, queer-coded, and melodramatic art, it’s a challenge to choose highlights. But here are a few of my favorites.
1. Two Women Dancing
I’ve written at length about the cabarets in Montmartre and the deliciously “seedy” (read: inclusive and fun) side of them. Jane Avril herself in a red coat stands statuesquely in the midground, her back turned against the viewer.
It’s such a beautifully intimate scene despite all the movement. And the layered colors are swoon-worthy.
2. Munch on this Feast of a Painting
I loved the curation at the Trade Fair. This piece and two others hung on one wall. They seem different stylistically so I wondered why they were grouped together. Then I realized all three all have a cat! (Another wall in the gallery displayed self-portraits of men smoking. I wonder what trends I didn’t catch on to, but it was fun to identify the mini-themes.)
In addition to the cat, I just love Edvard Munch’s swooping colors and symbolism.
“Originally, The Dance on the Shore of 1900 was part of the collection of twenty-two paintings entitled ‘The Frieze of Life’. The figures of dancing girls are at the centre of the action being observed by two figures in black – widows. The solitary woman in red symbolises the age of the climax of erotic strength. The cycle of life is rendered in wide colourful lines dividing the space into multi-coloured bands.”
-Official Gallery Description
*fans self*
3. Textures, Beasts, Cairns
Here’s another on the same wall of cats. Is it the Exmoor Beast prowling behind a new victim? Probably not, but the slow arch of the bending horizon line towards the dolmen creates a spooky atmosphere. Despite it being a well-lit piece.
It’s lonely and mysterious. Plus, my time living in Ireland has made me a sucker for a good dolmen.
4. New Fav Artist: Jan Preisler
I didn’t realize these were both two pieces by Jan Preisler, but really, all of his pieces in the collection drew me in.
Sensual lounging people, check.
White horses, check.
Gorgeous grounds, check.
No notes.
5. Emil Orlik
I studied the fin-de-siecle at graduate school, and Model by Emil Orlik seriously encapsulates some of the themes of the era. An arts and crafts panel to the left peeks out. Its organic forms pop against the unadorned wall. Hanging Noh masks and a draped kimono falling onto the ground is pure Japonisme.
And yet, the figure amongst these fineries looks to be in despair. Age of anxiety, indeed.
6. Perfectly Dreamy Kupka
Ah, peak Symbolism. Such a moody, dreamy world this man finds himself in. The Milky Way falling into the distance is also choice.
This piece is inspired by “Dream-land” by Edgar Allan Poe.
7. Futurist Masterpiece
I’m obsessed with this fractured Futurism beauty. I could stare at it for hours. The more you look the more it reveals. Is it one woman or two? Can I join in dancing? Who is the Tuxedo Mask looking fella?
Ugh, it’s incredible. The foreground feels still to me, then the background slips into an ordered chaos. All while using pointillism but keeping the subjects clear.
8. Fashion + Bushes = Yes
Honestly, in addition to the sunny vibes of these two, I am loving the full display, no, celebration, of pubic hair. In both pieces, they’re highlighted by sun or blocks of fabric and smack-dap in the middle of the piece.
They’re bright and cheery and don’t feature any femme fatale tropes as far as I can tell. Also, please point me in the direction to find those darling green slip-ons in the Švabinský piece.
9. Absinthe Beauty
Absinthe immediately conjures up decadent bohemian vibes. Banning it on and off all around the Western world made it even more attractive as a drink. Or as a way to portray “moral failings”. (And fear and anxiety. L’Assommoir by Emile Zola felt a little poverty-porny to me, but what do I know.) Regardless, visions of the green fairy and stylish women drinking absinthe inspired artists over and over.
I love the rough texture of this piece paired with elegance. And her eyes. Stunning.
10. A Nightmare
This image is a little hard to see. But, there is a nude in a tree seemingly hiding from three men in white who walk strangely towards the figure. (Boggis, Bunce, and Bean..) Clothes are on the ground as if they were just taken off. The grounds are grey and grim. It feels rather One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
To the right, there are three more figures. They look like they’re guards or officials. But all three skirt the edge of the piece, claustrophobically squeezed in by the frame.
Absolutely creepy.
10. Mid War Confusion
I love the blocky shapes, the colors, the composition, and the dizzying effect of trying to decipher what feels real and possible and what does not.
There are so many more. If you’re in Prague, give the museum a visit; the architecture is fantastic as well.
