The relocation of the five canvases from the epic to Prague will begin on Monday

Moravský Krumlov (Znojemsko) - The relocation of five rolled canvases from the Slav Epic by painter Alphonse Mucha is expected to begin as early as Monday. This was stated by the mayor of Moravský Krumlov, where the work is exhibited, Tomáš Třetina (TOP 09). According to him, the main city gallery (GHMP) is set on moving the five large canvases to Prague, but the leadership of Moravský Krumlov disagrees with this approach. The director of the Prague gallery, Milan Bufka, told ČTK today that the paintings are in an unsuitable environment and risk damage.
    "We are currently addressing the crisis state of the paintings we manage. The rolled canvases are wrapped in plastic and stored in conditions where the temperature is zero degrees Celsius," Bufka stated. He described the cold and freezing environment as highly risky for the storage of the canvases. According to him, it will be necessary to unroll, stretch, and possibly restore the paintings in Prague.
    The Knight's Hall in Moravský Krumlov, where the epic is exhibited, was sealed last October due to disputes over who owns the work. This halted the relocation of the paintings to Prague. Out of 20 canvases, several were taken down and rolled up. According to experts, they need to be installed, as their current state is detrimental to them. However, the people of Krumlov believe that nothing prevents this from happening again at the castle and that the works can return to their original locations.
    Due to the GHMP's objection that the climatic conditions in the castle are unfavorable, Moravský Krumlov has secured suitable spaces in the Moravian Gallery in Brno. However, they have not received consent for the relocation of the works.
    Mayor Třetina wants to negotiate the transport with Prague's mayor Bohuslav Svoboda (ODS). The Moravský Krumlov town hall is currently awaiting a legal opinion from the Ministry of Culture on whether it is even possible to divide the epic, composed of 20 paintings, in this way.
    The work was declared a cultural monument at the end of last year, and the transfer must be approved by heritage conservationists. Minister of Culture Jiří Besser (TOP 09) reminded this fact on Friday after viewing the work, stating that he does not consider it fortunate to divide the epic in any way.
    However, Bufka stated that heritage conservators are not required to approve the transfer. "We are bringing the paintings from an unsuitable environment to ours. On the contrary, we will have to discuss with the heritage conservators the stay of the canvases in Moravský Krumlov," said the director of GHMP.
    He declined to comment on whether the five canvases would return to Moravia. "Everything depends on further negotiations and how the exhibition at the castle will be organized," he admitted. However, according to him, it is unlikely that Moravský Krumlov will organize any potential exhibition at the castle. "That would not go over well in Prague after all the previous events. Our gallery should be in charge of the exhibition," Bufka stated.
    He added that the transferred canvases will be placed in a small hall of the National Gallery in Prague, allowing the public to see the restorers at work. Once the restoration is completed, people will be able to view the canvases there. "However, it cannot be called an exhibition, because that set of canvases is random and lacks exhibition logic," Bufka warned.
    "It's like separating the St. Vitus Cathedral from Prague Castle," said South Moravian Governor Michal Hašek (ČSSD) regarding this. The region is already cooperating with the town hall on a project to modify the space where Mucha's work has been exhibited for nearly half a century.
    Opponents of the relocation of the epic to Prague believed that the disputes regarding the transfer of the work ended with the promise of the Prague mayor that the work would be exhibited in Krumlov this season. Subsequently, efforts would begin to find spaces for its placement in the capital.
    On this matter, Besser stated on Friday that the epic should remain in Moravia. He pointed out that Prague has not yet built the pavilion that Mucha requested for this work. He called on both sides to come to an agreement, welcoming "the generosity of Prague" and the end of the disputes.