anniversary of the National Gallery

The National Gallery in Prague will celebrate the 229th anniversary of the founding of the Society of Patriotic Friends of Art, its historical predecessor, on February 8 and 9, 2025.

On this occasion, it will offer free admission and a rich accompanying program, including guided tours, lectures, and art workshops for both children and adults.

The history of the gallery dates back to 1796
The origins of the National Gallery’s collections go back to the 17th century when the famous painting The Feast of the Rosary by Albrecht Dürer became part of Emperor Rudolf II’s collection. This rare treasure has remained in Prague to this day and is one of the most significant works in the gallery’s holdings.

The gallery itself was founded on February 5, 1796, when a group of Czech nobility and scholars sought to elevate public taste. They established the Society of Patriotic Friends of Art, which immediately opened the Academy of Art and a publicly accessible Picture Gallery—two institutions that Prague lacked at the time.

Development of collections and the modern gallery
In 1902, the Modern Gallery of the Kingdom of Bohemia was established, expanding the collection with contemporary 19th and 20th-century art. It was during this time that the gallery acquired works by important Czech artists such as Antonín Slavíček, Max Švabinský, Vojtěch Preissig, Jan Preisler, Josef Čapek, and Emil Filla.

After the founding of Czechoslovakia in 1918, the Picture Gallery became the central art collection of the new state. In 1919, Vincenc Kramář took over its management and laid the foundation for the renowned French collection. Thanks to the support of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk and Edvard Beneš, the gallery acquired works by great masters such as Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Eugène Delacroix, Camille Corot, André Derain, and Auguste Rodin.

What can you see during the celebrations?
To commemorate the anniversary, the National Gallery has prepared a special free program focusing on key artworks, historical artifacts, and major acquisitions that have enriched the collection over the centuries.

Exhibitions you can visit:

Medieval Art in Bohemia and Central Europe (1200–1550)
Old Masters I and II
1796–1918: The Art of the Long Century
1918–1938: The First Republic
1939–2021: The End of the Black-and-White Era
1956–1989: Architecture for Everyone

Accompanying program:
Guided tours of significant works
Lectures on the history of the gallery and its collections
Art workshops for children and adults
Celebrate 229 years of Czech art!
This weekend at the National Gallery offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich heritage of Czech and world art. And the best part? Admission is free! Don’t miss this exceptional event.

WHERE: National Gallery Prague
WHEN: February 8–9, 2025
ADMISSION: Free