Prague
Open now

An Exhibition on Photography's Influence in Czech Graphic Art featuring Alphonse Mucha and Contemporaries

Discover how Alphonse Mucha and other graphic artists integrated photographic studies into their art around 1900.

This exhibition explores the fascinating dynamic between modern Czech graphic art and photography emerging around 1900. Learn how pioneering artists such as Alphonse Mucha, Viktor Stretti, and Vojtěch Preissig adopted the camera as a crucial artistic tool. Visitors will gain unique insight into their creative processes, from preliminary studies for posters to integrating travel shots into graphic works.

About Photographs by graphic artists Alphonse Mucha, Viktor Stretti, Tavík František Šimon, Vojtěch Preissig at House at the Black Madonna in Prague

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Photographs by graphic artists Alphonse Mucha, Viktor Stretti, Tavík František Šimon, Vojtěch Preissig at House at the Black Madonna in Prague

Exhibition summary

This exhibition explores the concurrent development of modern Czech graphic art and photography around 1900, focusing on how prominent artists like Alphonse Mucha, Viktor Stretti, Tavík František Šimon, and Vojtěch Preissig incorporated photography into their artistic practices. Visitors will discover how these artists used photographic studies for paintings, posters, illustrations, and graphic sheets, showcasing a pivotal moment in artistic innovation.

Curatorial context

This exhibition delves into the dynamic relationship between modern Czech graphic art and photography that emerged around 1900. It highlights how a generation of artists, breaking away from traditional methods, embraced the photographic camera as an integral part of their artistic toolkit. Featured artists such as Alphonse Mucha, renowned for his Art Nouveau style, employed photographs as preliminary studies for his iconic paintings, posters, and illustrations. Viktor Stretti focused on Prague's urban landscape, often enhancing his photographs with hand-drawn sketches, while Tavík František Šimon masterfully translated his photographic work into striking graphic art. Vojtěch Preissig, a versatile 'polygraphic experimenter,' integrated shots from his travels in Paris and Boston into his broader graphic art. Many of the displayed artist's positives are authentic works that have recently become part of the museum's collection, offering a unique glimpse into the artists' creative process.

Admission and ticket notes

Admission details are provided for the Josef Sudek Gallery, with full price at CZK 40 and concession at CZK 20. Visitors are directed to 'BUY TICKET' for purchase. It is unclear if this specific exhibition requires a separate ticket or is included with general gallery admission without further context on the page.

Photographs by graphic artists Alphonse Mucha, Viktor Stretti, Tavík František Šimon, Vojtěch Preissig key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Photographs by graphic artists Alphonse Mucha, Viktor Stretti, Tavík František Šimon, Vojtěch Preissig at House at the Black Madonna in Prague

Venue
House at the Black Madonna
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
From Feb 21, 2026
Artist line / attribution
Featuring the works and photographic studies of graphic artists Alphonse Mucha, Viktor Stretti, Tavík František Šimon, and Vojtěch Preissig.
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