A Dream of Reality: The Paintings of Jan Zrzavý from the Collections of the National Gallery Prague

Opening date of the exhibition: July 22, 2025

"No artist trying to envision the true nature of things, their reality and essence, cannot paint any more than his or her idea of them; his or her dream of reality." Jan Zrzavý

Jan Zrzavý had an ambivalent relationship with his native Vysočina region. On the one hand, it was the land of his childhood, a place he returned to throughout his life and where he found peace and inspiration for his work. On the other hand, he considered the local landscape harsh and sorrowful, and he blamed it for his own tendency towards melancholy. Zrzavý first visited Telč as an adult, apparently at the suggestion of his friend František Kožík. He was reportedly so enchanted by the Renaissance atmosphere of the town that he expressed a desire to exhibit his work there.

Preparations for the first permanent exhibition began as early as the 1970s. From 1988 to 2007, the National Gallery Prague exhibited more than forty of Zrzavý’s works at the chateau in Telč, with the selection being regularly rotated.

The painter’s warm relationship with the town was further deepened by his friendship with the castle steward Bohumil Norek, who pointed out Zrzavý’s resemblance to the statue of Adam. The statue, part of the unique sculpture Adam and Eve, is located in the main courtyard of the chateau. The larger-than-life pair of figures, standing opposite each other, is complemented by a fresco of paradise with two trees in the background. In a surviving photograph, Zrzavý is seen smiling as he looks at his “castle double.”

Zrzavý’s work drew not only on numerous biblical themes, but also combined influences from modern artists and old masters, particularly those of the Renaissance. A recurring feature is the strong projection of the artist’s personality – not only into his self-portraits, but also into many of his male and female figures. In this context, his connection with Telč appears almost fated.

Curator: Alice Němcová, Curator of the Collection of 19th Century Art, National Gallery Prague
Venue: Telč Chateau