Národní Galerie is one of the oldest art galleries in Europe, second only to the Louvre where, inside, the largest collection of artworks in the Czech Republic is housed.
It was founded in 1796 and, boasting well over two hundred years of history. Today it is considered one of the oldest art galleries in the world.
A group of well-known figures from the Bohemian aristocracy decided to culturally elevate the local population. Thus they established a society composed of the Academy of Fine Arts and the Picture Gallery.
Initially, the gallery housed artworks lent by members of the Society, where even today it is possible to admire some works of art that have remained there since then.
The Národní Galerie remained at its starting point until 1902 when Emperor Franz Joseph launched an initiative that involved the academies: an exhibition representing 20th century art.
After this event, in 1918, it became the national gallery of a newly formed Czechoslovakia, whose first director was a great collector of contemporary French art and of Picasso, Vincenc Kramař.
During the Second World War the associative status was changed and the gallery became a full-fledged state institution.
The National Gallery of Prague hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions in its various venues located not only within the city, but also outside it.
One of the largest and most important sites of the gallery is the Trade Fair Palace where modern artworks are displayed.
In fact, among the most notable paintings at the National Gallery of Prague is the Virgin by Gustav Klimt, dated 1913. The artist created the painting for the eleventh International Art Exhibition of Munich.
In addition to Klimt’s Virgin, at the Narodni Galerie it is possible to see two works by Picasso, Self-portrait and Violin, glass of wine, pipe and inkwell. And Haymaking by Bruegel the Elder
