Museum dedicated to Alphonse Mucha, a defining figure of the Art Nouveau, opens in the Savarin Palace in Prague in January 2025
“The purpose of my work has never been to break down, but always to construct, to build bridges; because we must all hope that humanity will draw together, and the easier it will be the more they understand each other.”
– Alphonse Mucha
The Mucha Museum, a new exhibition space dedicated to the work of world-renowned Czech artist Alphonse Mucha (1860–1939), will officially open its doors on 24 January 2025.
Situated in the historic centre of Prague within the breathtaking Baroque setting of the Savarin Palace, which has been exquisitely restored by Czech property developer Crestyl, the Mucha Museum promises to be a new cultural landmark that explores the work and life of one of the world’s best known Czech artists.
About
Alphonse Mucha (1860–1939) was a Czech artist who defined the style of the ‘Art Nouveau’ era. Living in Paris, he became an overnight sensation with his poster of the world-famous actress Sarah Bernhardt in the play “Gismonda”. With his new style, characterised by elegantly curving lines, natural motifs and graceful women, his advertising posters and decorative panels took over the streets and living rooms of Paris. By 1900, he was one of the most famous artists in the world. In the latter part of his life, he put his artistic talents at the service of the newly established country of Czechoslovakia. His artwork continues to inspire artists all over the globe, and his visual language still influences the way the world looks today: in rock and roll posters, Manga and even superhero movies and videogames.
The Mucha Foundation was founded in 1992 by the artist Alphonse Mucha’s grandson John Mucha and the artist’s daughter-in-law, Geraldine Thomsen Mucha. The Mucha Foundation protects and preserves the Mucha Family Collection, the largest and most comprehensive collection of Mucha’s works worldwide, and promotes Alphonse Mucha’s artistic heritage.
Over the years, the Mucha Foundation has held more than 90 exhibitions across the world, at which more than 6,500,000 visitors have become acquainted not only with the work of Alphonse Mucha, but also with Czech culture. The Mucha Foundation is internationally recognized as the authority on the life and work of Alphonse Mucha. The Mucha Foundation’s President is John Mucha and its Executive Director is the artist’s great-grandson Marcus Mucha.
Current and upcoming exhibitions of Mucha’s works include: Grand Palais Immersif – Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, Virginia, USA (opened 24 October 2024); Grand Palais Immersif – Bunkamura Hikarie Hall, Tokyo, Japan (opens 3 December 2024); and Mucha Trail 2025; Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan (opens 13 April 2025). Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line, a solo touring exhibition of Mucha’s work, will be on show at The Phillips Collection in Washington DC, USA (opens 22 February 2025).
Tomoko Sato studied History of Art and Architecture at the University of Reading, and Museology at the University of Manchester. Formerly Curator at the Barbican Art Gallery in London, she has been Curator of the Mucha Foundation since 2007. She has curated numerous exhibitions on Alphonse Mucha as well as on modern art, design, and photography.
The 15.000 m2 Savarin project is one of the largest urban development projects in the centre of Prague. It consists of four interconnected parts, including the careful reconstruction of existing historic buildings and the creation of a completely new public space with greenery, courtyard open space and commercial areas. The overall architectural vision and form is in the hands of British architect Thomas Heatherwick and construction started in 2021 with the renovation of the Baroque Savarin Palace, which was officially completed in September 2024.
