Lives. Artists from the Pen of Karrel van Mander on display only until Sunday

The exhibition of Dutch and Upper German painting from the 15th and 16th centuries is centered around The Book of Painting by painter Karel van Mander. “The exhibition and the selection of artists develop similarly to the narrative of van Mander’s publication,” explains curator Miroslav Kindl. “Through paintings, drawings, prints, and books, it presents not only important works of Dutch painting from the 15th and 16th centuries, but also the principles of early modern art collecting and the intellectual world of the first monographers.”

Visitors will see top works from leading European museums and galleries by artists such as Jan Brueghel the Elder, Albrecht Dürer, Rogier van der Weyden, Quentin Massijs, Cornelis van Haarlem, and other artists mentioned by van Mander and often known thanks to him.

The exhibition is accompanied by a representative, richly illustrated catalog presenting a comprehensive overview of The Book of Painting and its author, Karel van Mander. In addition, it includes medallions and analyses of selected works by twenty-four Dutch and Upper German painters.

Thanks to the work of translators Zuzana Henešová and Ivana Svobodová, the very first Czech translation of the aforementioned Book of Painting has also been published.

Visitors can use headphones in the exhibition, where Karel van Mander, voiced by actor Igor Bareš, reads excerpts from The Book of Painting. In addition, they have access to the Cabinet of Wonders voice guide with integrated artificial intelligence, so they can communicate with it and ask questions. Those interested can download the app to their phone via a QR code and be guided through the exhibition in ten languages. There are three guide modes available: detailed, curator’s selection, and a tour for children.