Old Masters II: Exploring European Painting Masterpieces at Prague's Sternberg Palace

Old Masters II is an exhibition at Sternberg Palace that builds upon the 'Old Masters I' permanent display, presenting magnificent artwork in new contexts. It highlights exceptional collections, including rare Russian icons and Italian paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries, alongside Renaissance and Baroque works.

The Old Masters II exhibition, housed in Sternberg Palace, complements the 'Old Masters I' permanent exhibition by offering a fresh perspective on magnificent artwork. Historically, the building served as a seat for art societies, and this exhibition continues that tradition by showcasing masterpieces within thematic contexts of art centers and their interconnections. The collection features highlights from the National Gallery Prague's (NGP) holdings and its partners, including a rare ensemble of Russian Christian icons collected by Nikodim P. Kondakov and an extensive group of Italian paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries, primarily gathered by Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. This significant collection of early Italian art, notable for its representations of Sienese, Florentine, Venetian, and Paduan artistic creation, is further enriched by Renaissance and Baroque paintings by artists such as Alessandro Allori, Jacopo Bassano, and Jusepe Ribera. The exhibition also showcases substantial collections of Dutch and Flemish painting from the 15th to 18th centuries, with a focus on the artistic output of Antwerp, Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Leiden, featuring works by artists like Herri met de Bles, Pieter II. Brueghel, Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, Rachel Ruysch, Gerard Ter Borch, and Frans Hals. Notable pieces include the altar with 'The Crucifixion' by Hans Raphon, the only fully preserved retable of the Passion of the Christ in Czech public collections. Central European art is represented by Nuremberg art and selected works from the Rhineland region (15th-18th centuries) by artists like Hans Baldung Grien and Hans Dürer, as well as German and Austrian works from the 17th and 18th centuries by Georg Flegel, Paul Troger, Johann Carl Loth, and Johann Michael Rottmayr. The exhibition also includes a curated selection of French and Spanish art from the 17th and 18th centuries, notable for its solitary pieces by artists such as Simon Vouet, Pierre Mignard, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, and Francisco José Goya.

A joint ticket is offered for Old Masters I and Old Masters II expositions. The discounted basic admission for both expositions costs CZK 300, and reduced admission is CZK 200. Tickets can be purchased at the NGP ticket offices in the Schwarzenberg and Sternberg Palaces. Ticket sales for this exhibition started on August 1, 2022, at 12:00 PM.