Schwarzenberg Palace
Opening February 18, 2011

Curator: Mgr. Jan Šach
Exhibition design: S. G. L. Projekt

Main Partner of the National Gallery in Prague: UniCredit Bank Czech Republic
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During the Renaissance, a number of collections of arms were created in all parts of Europe, establishing the core of what are today famous armouries housed in castles or museums. Already at the time of their foundation, these armouries took on the character of art treasuries, as well as representing a sort of living archive of family tradition. In the past, armour and weapons were not simply utilitarian objects for warfare or hunting, but also had to represent their owners, testifying to their power and wealth. In the Renaissance and Baroque periods in particular, weapons bore rich decoration in a variety of techniques, which was often several many times more expensive than the value of the actual unadorned weapon.

When in 2002 the National Gallery acquired the Renaissance-era Schwarzenberg Palace from the Czech Ministry of Defence as a voluntary conveyance, the Institute of Military History lost the means for the long-term presentation of the oldest items in its collections. The Schwarzenberg Palace has in the meantime underwent extensive general reconstruction, after which it opened its new permanent exhibition, The Baroque in Bohemia, in 2008. The unique original Baroque timber-work was successfully restored, thus creating a new exhibition space of circa 600 m2 in the attic. This same venue will now be open to the public thanks to the cooperation of the National Gallery and the Institute of Military History, offering an exhibition of the most valuable historical weapons from the collections of the Institute of Military History, entitled "The Imperial Armoury."

The exhibition will present five hundred and fifty items, dating from the 15th to the mid-19th centuries. The items on exhibit were selected for their exceptional artistic decoration, distinctive technical construction, or the eminence of their manufacturers or owners. The exhibition design by SGL Projekt architect studio is modern in nature, accentuating the historical features of the venue, and is divided into several sections according to theme. The most extensive of these represents the evolution of both traditional arms and firearms. Among the rare exhibition items on display are for instance medieval muskets, as the collection includes various types of muskets with matchlocks, wheel locks and also combined lock mechanisms. In other parts of the exhibition, visitors can trace the evolution of hunting firearms, Oriental weapons, and artillery cannons. The exhibition also includes a military "picture gallery" presenting works from the 17th - 19th centuries, and featuring paintings of prominent military commanders as well as large format canvasses of battle scenes.

In terms of both its extent and high quality, the new exhibition has no parallel in the Czech context. Visitors to the exhibition, which will surely include more than merely fans of military history, will find in this unique space an absolutely singular collection of the Institute of Military History, one of the finest of its kind in the world

Jan Šach

The NG Department of Educational Programs is preparing a cycle of lectures for both students and adults to accompany the new part of the permanent exhibition. The program will include popular weekend workshops for parents and children.

The National Gallery is also preparing a program for school children, adding to the rich spectrum of educational programs already offered by the Schwarzengerg Palace to pupils of all ages and all types of schools.