New Mucha Museum Opens in Prague, Honoring the Czech Art Nouveau Master

Prague has just welcomed a new cultural landmark dedicated to one of its most celebrated artists, Alphonse Mucha. The Mucha Museum, located in the newly restored wing of the historic Savarin Palace, aims to showcase the legacy of the Art Nouveau master and reintroduce his work to a global audience.

A Museum for Mucha’s Legacy

Mucha, often hailed as the leading figure of Art Nouveau, gained international fame in the 1890s with his iconic posters for actress Sarah Bernhardt. While he is widely recognized for his decorative posters, the new museum seeks to highlight the broader scope of his work, which includes paintings, sculptures, photography, and design.

The museum’s permanent exhibition, Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau & Utopia, features around 90 works, including posters, drawings, books, and rare photographs. Visitors can explore Mucha’s artistic journey from his famed Parisian posters to his magnum opus, The Slav Epic.

The Slav Epic: A Monumental Work

A significant section of the museum is dedicated to The Slav Epic, Mucha’s grand series of 20 large-scale paintings depicting key moments in Slavic history. While the original canvases remain at Moravský Krumlov Castle, 200 km from Prague, the museum features high-quality reproductions and preparatory sketches.

For years, debates have raged over whether the paintings should return to Prague. In 2023, an agreement was reached to create a new gallery for the epic at the Savarin Palace. However, the project remains in negotiation, with hopes that a dedicated space designed by renowned British designer Thomas Heatherwick will open by 2028, coinciding with the centenary of Mucha’s gift of the series to Prague.

A Global Revival of Mucha’s Art

Beyond the new museum, the Mucha Foundation is committed to expanding international appreciation of the artist. A major touring exhibition, Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line, recently opened at the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., and will travel across the U.S. until 2026. Additional exhibitions are planned in Italy and Japan, further cementing Mucha’s influence worldwide.

With its new home in Prague’s Savarin Palace, the Mucha Museum marks a significant step in preserving and promoting the artist’s legacy. As global interest in Art Nouveau continues to grow, Mucha’s timeless style is set to inspire future generations.