Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Probably the most imposing and visible sculpture in Prague - reputedly the biggest
equestrian statue in the world - is the huge, mounted figure of Hussite hero Jan Žižka
that dominates the skyline above Žižkov (the city district named after him). Created
by sculptor Bohumil Kafka (no relation to writer Franz) in 1950, it was originally in-
tended to form part of the National Monument in memory of the Czechoslovak le-
gions who had fought in WWI. It was instead hijacked by the communist government
and made to serve as a political symbol of Czech workers and peasants.
The city's long tradition of politically charged sculpture continues today with the
controversial and often wryly amusing works of contemporary artists Krištof Kintera
(1973-) and David Černý.
THEATRE
Theatre remains a popular and vital art form in spite of rising competition from the in-
ternet, film and TV. Openings for key performances, such as Tom Stoppard's riveting
sold out months in advance and duly discussed in the papers and by the public for
weeks after.
THE UNDERAPPRECIATED ALFONS MUCHA
Alfons Mucha (1860-1939) is probably the most famous visual artist to come out
of the Czech lands, though because he attained his fame mostly in Paris, and
not in Prague, his reputation remains more exalted abroad than at home.
Mucha is best known for his poster of French actress Sarah Bernhardt, pro-
moting her new play at the time,
Giselda
. The poster, with its tall, narrow format,
muted colours, rich decoration and sensual beauty, created a sensation. You
can see the original lithograph at the Mucha Museum.
Although firmly associated with art nouveau, Mucha himself claimed he did
not belong to any one artistic movement, and saw his work as part of a natural
evolution of Czech art. His commitment to the culture and tradition of his native
land was expressed in the second half of his career, when he worked on the
decoration of the Lord Mayor's Hall in Prague's Municipal House, designed new
