The National Gallery responded to Havel's criticism of Knížák

Prague - The National Gallery (NG) today objected to claims made by former president Václav Havel that the installation of Mucha's Slav Epic at the Trade Fair Palace is intended to replace quality exhibitions that the NG is unable to organize. Havel stated on Monday evening that the gallery's director Milan Knížák wants to resolve the situation by exhibiting the epic. "Maybe this is speculation, and if I'm wrong, I apologize to him," Havel said at the time. According to gallery spokesperson Petra Jungwirthová, Havel's criticism is unfounded.
    "The NG's exhibition program is undeniably rich, and I would like to emphasize that the NG has eight permanent exhibitions, and nearly 15 exhibitions are held annually at the Trade Fair Palace, which alongside maintaining the permanent displays of the Trade Fair Palace is certainly not a small number," Jungwirthová said.
    Last Tuesday, the National Gallery opened an exhibition of works from the Vienna museum Albertina at the Trade Fair Palace, which was visited by 6,000 people within a week. In November, a comprehensive exhibition of works by the Baroque painter Karel Škréta and his contemporaries will begin at the Wallenstein Riding School and the Riding School of Prague Castle, organized by the NG in cooperation with the Administration of Prague Castle and the Archdiocese of Prague.
    Václav Havel's words, in which he targeted Milan Knížák, are not an isolated case. Knížák's leadership of the National Gallery has garnered criticism from many, including art historians and artists. Some experts consider it delayed that the NG organized an exhibition of works by prominent 20th-century painters from the Vienna Albertina only 20 years after the revolution. Comments published in newspapers about the exhibition state that such an exhibition should have been in Prague long ago. Some also point out that the exhibition lacks a strong concept.
    The set of canvases with Slavic themes by painter Alfons Mucha wanted to be exhibited in the capital by the previous leadership of Prague represented by the Gallery of the Capital City of Prague (GHMP). According to Jungwirthová, the National Gallery accommodated the request of the GHMP and the magistrate and provided the Great Hall of the Trade Fair Palace for the exhibition.
    The canvases are currently located at the castle in Moravský Krumlov, where the Krumlov community and part of Mucha's family disagree with their relocation and have restricted access to the paintings for Prague restorers in recent weeks. The dispute escalated before the municipal elections, which took place last Friday and Saturday.