Prague
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Photography by Graphic Art Masters: Alphonse Mucha, Viktor Stretti, Tavík František Šimon, and Vojtěch Preissig Exhibition

Explore how these prominent Czech graphic artists integrated photographic studies into their iconic Art Nouveau paintings and designs.

Delve into the fascinating intersection of modern Czech graphic art and photography from around 1900. This unique exhibition reveals how renowned artists like Alphonse Mucha, Tavík František Šimon, Viktor Stretti, and Vojtěch Preissig embraced the camera as a crucial creative tool. Discover their preliminary photographic studies for paintings, graphic works, and illustrations, showcasing a pivotal period in artistic development.

About Photographs by graphic artists Alphonse Mucha, Viktor Stretti, Tavík František Šimon, Vojtěch Preissig at Powder Tower in Prague

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

Exhibition summary

This exhibition showcases the photographic works of prominent Czech graphic artists including Alphonse Mucha, Tavík František Šimon, Viktor Stretti, and Vojtěch Preissig. It highlights how these artists utilized photography as a tool for their artistic endeavors, from studies for paintings and posters to visually impressive graphic sheets.

Curatorial context

This exhibition delves into the concurrent development of modern Czech graphic art and photography around 1900, a period when artists embraced the camera as a vital part of their creative equipment. It features the photographic practices of renowned figures such as Alphonse Mucha, an icon of Art Nouveau, who used his photographs as preliminary studies for his paintings, posters, and illustrations. Tavík František Šimon, a widely traveled artist, transformed his photographs into striking graphic works, while Viktor Stretti focused on Prague-themed subjects, often enhancing his photos with hand-drawn sketches. The exhibition also includes the work of Vojtěch Preissig, a versatile "polygraphic experimenter," who integrated shots from his travels in Paris and Boston into his graphic art. Many of the authentic, artist-made positives displayed have recently been integrated into the museum's collection, forming an integral part of the artists' estates.

Admission and ticket notes

Operating hours are from 11:00 to 17:00 on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from April to September, and from 12:00 to 18:00 from October to March. Specific ticketing details beyond operating hours are not provided on this 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 Powder Tower in Prague

Venue
Powder Tower
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
From Apr 1, 2026
Artist line / attribution
Featuring the photographic works of Alphonse Mucha, Tavík František Šimon, Viktor Stretti, and Vojtěch Preissig.
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