NGP 230 Years

The NGP 230 Years exhibition commemorates the 230th anniversary of the founding of the Society of Patriotic Friends of Art (5 February 1796), a private association whose main goal was to open a publicly accessible picture gallery and create an art collection – the predecessor of today's National Gallery Prague. The intimate exhibition is located in the Trade Fair Palace on the 4th floor, as part of the permanent exhibition 1796–1918: Art of the Long Century, and runs from 27 March 2026 to 3 January 2027. The curator is Veronika Hulíková. The exhibition features approximately 70 carefully selected works from all five collection areas of the National Gallery Prague – from Old Masters through prints, Asian art to modern and post-war works. In ten chapters (1796–1818 to 2004–2026), visitors will discover paintings by Renaissance and Baroque masters from aristocratic collections, works by Norbert Grund, Josef and Quido Manes, and Jakub Schikaneder, as well as acquisitions from the second half of the 20th century and the latest additions of the 21st century. The exhibition also highlights the crucial role of patrons and donors – Josef Hoser, Leopold Katz, Josef Thomayer, Vincent Kramář and others. It is complemented by archival photographs and portraits of personalities who shaped the gallery. The exhibition is conceived as a clear "exhibition within an exhibition", accessible to foreign visitors as well. The anniversary is commemorated throughout 2026 with lecture series, guided tours, artistic performances and discussion panels.