Don't miss the opening of the exhibition of old Dutch masters
It is not usual for a catalogue for an exhibition to be published 400 years before its realisation, but in the case of the new exhibition of the Olomouc Museum of Art, this is indeed the case with some exaggeration. One of the fundamental texts of European art history – Het Schilder-Boeck (The Book of Painting) from 1604 by the Dutch painter Karl van Mander (1548-1606) is the main inspiration and key to the exhibition Lives. Artists through the pen of Karl van Mander, which runs from 9 October 2025 to 11 January 2026.
“The exhibition and the selection of artists are similar to the narrative of van Mander’s publication,” says curator Miroslav Kindl. “Through paintings, drawings, prints and books, it presents important works of Dutch painting from the 15th and 16th centuries as well as the principles of early modern art collecting and the intellectual world of the early monographers.”
Visitors will thus see top works of the Dutch and Upper German Renaissance by artists such as Rogier van der Weyden, Quentin Massijs, Jan Brueghel st., Albrecht Dürer, Bartholomeus Spranger and Cornelis van Haarlem. However, it will not only be a showcase of important authors, but also a probe into the social, cultural and literary history of the early modern period, sketched through excerpts from book texts and graphic displays.
Visitors can use headphones in the exhibition, where Karel van Mander reads excerpts from The Book of Painting in the voice of actor Igor Bareš. In addition, the Cabinet of Wonders voice guide with integrated artificial intelligence is available so that it is possible to interact with it and ask questions. Interested visitors can download the app to their phone via QR code and be guided through the exhibition in ten languages. There are three guided modes – detailed, curated selection and children’s tour. “We also see this exhibition as a laboratory for new media in the museum space. We want to bring old art closer to young people in a modern way,” says Miroslav Kindl, adding that there is also the possibility of using a screen in the foyer with a program that will create an image in the style of the chosen artist according to the visitors’ wishes. And you can have it sent to your e-mail inbox.
The exhibition is also accompanied by the first Czech translation of van Mander’s Book of Painters and a catalogue with the medallions of twenty-four selected artists with extensive photographic documentation.
Audio guide to the exhibition
Download the app Cabinet of Wonders: App Store / Google Play