Discover a Rare Portrait Unseen for 80 Years at Our Exciting New Permanent Exhibition!
The artist himself wanted to showcase his works in Telč. Jan Zrzavý, recognized as one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century and a key figure in Czech modern art, was inspired by Renaissance Telč. His connection to the town grew deeper after he met the local castle keeper, Bohumil Norko Sr., who guided him on a tour of the castle, notably showing him the statue of Adam in the courtyard. This statue resembled the artist, leading to an amusing photograph of Zrzavý gazing at his “castle double.”
Jan Zrzavý’s exhibition beautifully showcases the National Gallery Prague’s ongoing efforts to collaborate with various cultural institutions, preserving national cultural heritage while thoughtfully exploring how to display art both in Prague and across other areas. For Jan Zrzavý, this was a serendipitous moment—he cherished the Highlands, previously exhibited there, and even left his estate to the National Gallery.
Jan Zrzavý Gallery at the Telč Chateau opened its doors in 1988 and showcased fifty of his works until 2007 in a permanent exhibition. Now, nearly two decades later, the works of Jan Zrzavý are returning to the chateau, which has undergone extensive renovation to meet high gallery standards. The new space for displaying Jan Zrzavý’s art is located in the east wing of the Telč castle, previously used as a storage area and for staff facilities. Between 2024 and 2025, these rooms were completely renovated, transforming them into modern exhibition spaces. They feature air conditioning to keep a stable environment, improved lighting, and fabric blinds to protect the artworks from sunlight.
Jan Zrzavy and his The Dream of Reality
What is the reason behind the title of the exhibition, Dream of Reality: Paintings by Jan Zrzavý? It comes from the artist’s insight that “No artist trying to capture the reality of things, their true essence, can paint anything beyond their personal concept of it, their dream of reality.” This quote effectively captures the complexity of Zrzavý’s work—while his pieces may seem straightforward at first glance, this simplicity masks profound multilayered symbolism, inner spirituality, and calculated artistic design that transforms reality into the poet’s imaginative vision.
The new exhibition, tailored for the unique environment of the castle, will highlight the work of a remarkable personality in Czech modern art. It is organized into six loosely connected sections that lead visitors through the essential themes of Zrzavý’s art—starting with self-portraits and self-presentation, moving through his influences from Leonardo da Vinci, to earlier works from the period of the Association Sursum. Next are biblical themes and paradise landscapes that transition into images of Brittany, which are closely tied to his understanding of his beloved Highlands. The concluding section focuses on the motif of femmes fatales. A highlight of this exhibition is the National Gallery Prague’s latest acquisition, the Portrait of Miss Tydlitátová, connected to Telč, along with paintings featuring Cleopatra, a subject to which he often returned throughout his life. This painting from 1932 spent over 80 years in a private collection and until now was almost entirely unknown to the public. The National Gallery Prague obtained it from a private collector last year, aided by the Ministry of Culture.
Complementing the exhibition is an interactive studio, which features a reading corner containing a card catalog of additional materials, personal letters, and reproductions of the works from other artists that inspired Zrzavý. Visitors can peruse books associated with Jan Zrzavý and listen to recorded broadcasts from the archive of Czech Radio. The Exposition of Jan Zrzavý at the Telč State Chateau remains accessible to the public throughout the year, following the same visiting hours as the chateau.
