Prague
Completed

Carlos Relvas: Object of Eternity – A Retrospective on Pioneering Portuguese Photography

Discover his influential works, spanning landscapes, portraits, and innovative studio experiments from the 19th century.

Delve into the fascinating world of Carlos Relvas with this comprehensive exhibition. It brought back to light the artistic enchantment and experimental nature of a true pioneer in 19th-century Portuguese photography. Explore his groundbreaking techniques and significant contributions to the art form, showcasing his wide mastery across diverse photographic genres and his connections with European artistic circles.

About Carlos Relvas – Object of Eternity at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Carlos Relvas – Object of Eternity at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Exhibition summary

This exhibition presents a retrospective of Carlos Relvas (1838-1894), a pivotal figure in Portuguese photography. It showcases his experimental approach and mastery across various genres, highlighting his contributions to photographic art and his engagement with European artistic and scientific circles.

Curatorial context

Galerie Rudolfinum hosted a significant exhibition dedicated to Carlos Relvas (1838-1894), a foundational figure in Portuguese photography, presenting a comprehensive profile of his artistic output. After a century of obscurity, Relvas's work, characterized by its experimental nature and artistic enchantment with the nascent medium, was brought back to the European photographic scene. Hailing from Golegã, Relvas was a true pioneer, excelling in multiple photographic genres and developing innovative techniques. He was a cosmopolitan scholar, in constant correspondence with leading photographic personalities across Europe, and regularly received accolades at international fairs and exhibitions, becoming a member of the French Photographic Society in 1869. Though considering himself an amateur, Relvas was a highly sought-after portraitist and belonged to the intellectual elite of his era, possessing a vast library that spanned art, optics, chemistry, and philosophy. His life was tragically cut short at 55 in a riding accident, leading to his public disappearance for over a century. The exhibition, conceived as a tour and prepared in collaboration with the city of Golegã, was curated by David Korecký. It was structured into seven thematic chapters: Objects of Eternity, Landscapes and Architecture, Portraits, At the Farm, Ships and Seascapes, Daily Life, and Artist’s Studio. This presentation marked Relvas's first exhibition outside Portugal in over a hundred years. A catalogue titled 'Carlos Relvas – Objects of Eternity' was published in Czech, English, and Portuguese versions.

Admission and ticket notes

Admission to the exhibition was voluntary. Last entry was strictly 30 minutes before closing time. The gallery was closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays, and open from Thursday to Saturday (with specific Sunday closure noted, suggesting a limited opening schedule for the exhibition period).

Carlos Relvas – Object of Eternity key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Carlos Relvas – Object of Eternity at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Venue
Galerie Rudolfinum
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
May 23, 2013 – Sep 15, 2013
Artist line / attribution
Featuring the works of Carlos Relvas (1838-1894), a founding figure of Portuguese photography.
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