Muchova epic could be in Savarin for 25 years

Prague – The Slavic Epic by Alfons Mucha could, according to the coalition United Forces for Prague (TOP 09 and STAN), be temporarily displayed in the Savarin Palace under construction at Wenceslas Square. The canvases would move there after a five-year loan to Moravský Krumlov for a maximum of 25 years. The investor of the building project, Crestyl, has approached Prague with the proposal. Representatives of the United Forces told reporters today. They will discuss the plan with coalition partners Pirate Party and Prague Sobě. Prague currently does not have exhibition space for the Epic, and the canvases are in storage. The cycle consists of 20 large canvases that Mucha painted over 18 years starting in 1910.

Prague lost a lawsuit last December when the District Court for Prague 1 ruled that the cycle is not owned by Prague, thereby granting the painter's grandson, John Mucha, his claim. The ruling is not final, and the city has previously stated that it will appeal the court's decision. City councilors also decided last year to loan the canvases for five years to the castle in Moravský Krumlov.

"Wenceslas Square is not only suffering from outdated pavement and reduced quality of public space but also significantly from the content of the buildings," said Deputy Mayor Petr Hlaváček (TOP 09).

Any potential placement of the paintings has several conditions. "The investor must respect traffic restrictions that do not allow buses to enter the area of Wenceslas Square. The second condition is the resolution of the lawsuit with John Mucha, who wants to invalidate the city's ownership of the Slavic Epic," said Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09), head of the United Forces councilors and MEP.

According to Pospíšil and the head of the city council's culture committee, Jan Wolf (KDU-ČSL/United Forces), this solution would allow Prague to prevent the canvases from returning to storage after the loan to Moravský Krumlov. The city would also gain time to build its own facility for the permanent placement of the canvases.

At the same time, the city would resolve the dispute with John Mucha. According to Wolf and Crestyl representative Simon Johnson, Mucha has promised to end the dispute if the canvases are exhibited in Prague at a location he agrees with. The company has been negotiating with Mucha for several months. "Our intention fully aligns with the wishes of John Mucha's family," said Johnson.

It is not clear whether the canvases will be moved to Savarin or under what conditions. This is the position of the United Forces that they wish to discuss with their coalition partners.

The Savarin project is being developed on a 1.7-hectare plot of land between Wenceslas Square, Panská, and Jindřišská Streets. In the past, this site housed a printing house and other operations. In the center, a garden larger than the Franciscan garden is to be created. Access to the exhibition space would also be ensured by a new metro exit, which the investor has committed to build. The exhibition space for the Epic could range from 3,500 to 6,000 m2. "This size ensures a world-class level," said Johnson.

The cycle of paintings consists of 20 large canvases that Mucha painted over 18 years starting in 1910, dedicating them to Prague. Since 2010, the Epic has been a cultural monument. The paintings are currently stored in the City Gallery (GHM).

The first 11 canvases of the Epic were exhibited in 1919 at the Klementinum in Prague and received acclaim at exhibitions in New York and Chicago from 1920 to 1921. The entire Epic was first exhibited in 1928 at the Trade Fair Palace in Prague, and the paintings were placed under the administration of the City Gallery of Prague. In 1933, the canvases were rolled up and stored away. They were not exhibited again until 1963 at the castle in Moravský Krumlov. However, after 1989, the castle, which previously housed a railway vocational school among other things, fell into disrepair.