The work of Jan Zrzavý is returning to the Telč State Chateau after nearly two decades. The chateau’s state-of-the-art gallery space will present a selection of more than thirty of his works, including some that have not been publicly exhibited for a long time. The revival of the Jan Zrzavý exhibition in Telč was made possible thanks to the joint initiative of the National Heritage Institute and the National Gallery Prague. The exhibition, titled A Dream of Reality: Paintings by Jan Zrzavý from the Collections of the National Gallery Prague, opened to the public on July 22 and will be accessible year-round, in accordance with the chateau’s operating schedule.
Exhibiting his works specifically in Telč was a personal wish of Jan Zrzavý himself – one of the most renowned artists of the 20th century and a co-founder of Czech modern art. The Renaissance town of Telč served as a source of inspiration for him. His connection to the town deepened after meeting then-castellan Bohumil Norek Sr., who, during a tour of the chateau, showed him the statue of Adam located in the main courtyard. The statue’s resemblance to Zrzavý inspired a charming photograph of the painter gazing at his “chateau double”.
The Jan Zrzavý Gallery at the Telč Chateau originally opened in 1988 and, until 2007, displayed a permanent exhibition of around fifty of his works. After almost 20 years, Jan Zrzavý’s art is now returning to the chateau, this time in fully renovated spaces that meet the highest standards for gallery exhibitions.
“The opening of the chateau gallery and its first project, which presents the art of an exceptional figure of Czech modern art, Jan Zrzavý, is not only a cultural event. It is, above all, a return to the legacy and wishes of the artist himself, a native of the Vysočina region, who found inspiration here and formed a personal bond with Telč. I am glad that, thanks to the restoration of the gallery at the Telč State Chateau, we can provide optimal exhibition conditions for Jan Zrzavý’s paintings. The exhibition that has opened today is also a worthy continuation of the successful cooperation between the National Heritage Institute and the National Gallery Prague,” said Naďa Goryczková, Director-General of the National Heritage Institute, which manages the Telč State Chateau.
“This exhibition is a beautiful example of how the National Gallery Prague’s work brings together long-term efforts to cooperate with other cultural institutions, care for the national cultural heritage, and an intentional search for a meaningful context for exhibiting art not only in the capital, but also in outlying regions,” argues Alicja Knast, General Director of the National Gallery Prague: “In the case of Jan Zrzavý, it all clicked together – the artist loved the Vysočina region, had already exhibited here, and bequeathed his estate to the National Gallery. We feel an obligation not only to preserve his oeuvre, but also to return it to places that had a deep personal meaning for him. And it is a pleasure to do all of this in collaboration with the National Heritage Institute.”
The premises for the presentation of Zrzavý’s works were newly created in the eastern wing of the Telč Chateau, which originally hosted a depository and staff facilities. Between 2024 and 2025, the rooms were completely renovated to accommodate a state-of-the-art exhibition space. They are equipped with air conditioning in order to maintain a stable microclimate, new lighting has been installed, and fabric blinds protect the exhibits from the sun. During the restoration, the Renaissance murals in one of the rooms were professionally treated. The brick paving was covered with new wooden floors and the attic was insulated, while the water and electricity systems were completely replaced. The total costs of the refurbishment of the premises and the installation of the new exhibition amounted to CZK 14.5 million.
Alice Němcová, curator of the exhibition, explains why it is called Dream of Reality: “The title is inspired by Zrzavý’s quote ‘An artist trying to envision the true nature of things, their reality and essence, cannot paint any more than his or her idea of them; his or her dream of reality,’ which aptly illustrates the polarities of Zrzavý’s art – his pieces appear simple at first glance, but this simplicity in terms of form and meaning is only apparent. Behind it lies a multi-layered symbolism, an inner spirituality, and sophisticated artistic constructions that transform reality into the artist’s poetic vision.”
The new exhibition, which has been tailored to fit the specific environment of the chateau, presents the work of this exceptional figure in Czech modern art. It is divided into six loosely connected chapters guiding visitors through key themes of Zrzavý’s work – from self-portraits and self-stylization to inspiration drawn from Leonardo da Vinci, as well as early works from the Sursum association period. These are followed by biblical motifs and paradise landscapes, culminating in images of Brittany, deeply tied to his perception of his native Vysočina region. The final section is dedicated to the theme of the “fateful woman”. For the first time, the National Gallery Prague will display its most recent acquisition, Portrait of Miss Tydlitátová, which is connected to Telč, alongside paintings featuring the Cleopatra motif, a recurring theme throughout Zrzavý’s life. One such painting from 1932 remained in a private collection for over 80 years and was virtually unknown to the public. The National Gallery acquired it from a private collector last year, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, for CZK 3 million.
The exhibition will also feature an interactive studio that includes a reading corner with a file of supplementary materials – personal correspondence, reproductions of Zrzavý’s drawings, and works by artists who inspired him. Visitors will be able to read books related to Jan Zrzavý and listen to audio recordings from the Czech Radio archive.
The Jan Zrzavý exhibition at the Telč State Chateau will be open year-round, following the same visitor schedule as the chateau itself.
Contact:
Blanka Černá, spokesperson of the National Heritage Institute, +420 724 511 225, cerna.blanka@npu.cz
Jana Holcová, NGP Press Officer, +420 777 748 089, jana.holcova@ngprague.cz
