Treasures under one roof, that is the Lapidarium in Prague
František Palacký was inspired to create his collections by his love of the Czech nation, of the historical items which are a luxurious symbol of times long past. They found a permanent home at the Exhibition Grounds in Prague - Holešovice, which were built on the occasion of the General Jubilee Land Exposition in Prague in 1891.
As the name suggests, the items are made of stone, for the Latin word lapis means stone. Visitors can become familiar with the mining and use of minerals needed for sculpting. They will also be introduced to the work of artists across the centuries, from the 11th to the 19th, with a few sporadic works from the 20th Century.
The cool but luxurious beauty of stone
The art of shaping stone into an aesthetic work is truly an “art”. It requires not only artistic talent, but also craftsmanship. When working with a chisel or hammer, the sculptor must foresee every step in order to avoid irreparable mistakes. The stone seems cool, but it invites the touch. Its life story is woven into its structure, and the artist gives it a new opportunity to stand out.
Not all stones are the same, i.e. 3000 stone exhibits
Spread out over 12 rooms are stone works, sculptures and architectural models and plaster casts. The pieces are mainly from Prague and Central Bohemia. The viewer can use their eyes to “touch” marlstone, various types of sandstone, pinkish Slivenec marble, and black marble of Czech origin. The stone works are accompanied by works made of fired clay or polychrome stucco.
The Lapidarium is made for those who enjoy feeling the majesty and monumentality of unique and luxurious works of art. The time spent viewing the statues will enrich the viewer’s awareness of the exceptionally of Czech art and the “golden Czech hands.”
The entrance to the luxurious Lapidarium is protected by a courageous Archangel battling the devil, a clear allegory of the eternal battle between good and evil. Like the stonemason, who always leaves it to chance whether his work will be a success, whether he will conquer the stone.
