The building of Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague

A book of the Neo-Renaissance style

Clock above the entrance to the museum (1898/1901) by Josef Schulz (1840–1917)Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague

The main building of the Museum, 1897–1900

The museum was founded after several years of preparation in 1885, then still in borrowed premises. The Chamber of Commerce and Trade decided to build a separate museum building and purchased the land.

Stained glass in the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague (1898/1901) by Josef Schulz (1840–1917)Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague

The work of architect Josef Schulz

The new premises, designed by the architect Josef Schulz (1840–1917), were built on a site adjacent to the Old Jewish Cemetery in Josefov, Prague’s Jewish quarter.

Building of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague (1898/1901) by Josef Schulz (1840–1917)Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague

Simple architectural plan

The Museum has a longitudinal ground plan with a projecting central bay. The layout is relatively simple, bounded on one side by a broad road and on the other by the Old Jewish Cemetery. 

Museum in 1901 (1898/1901) by Josef Schulz (1840–1917)Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague

Mixing of historical styles

The construction of the Museum was during the final years of the fashion for reviving and combining various historical styles. 

View of the museum in 1901 after the completion of the building (1898/1901) by Josef Schulz (1840–1917)Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague

Josef Schulz: Total Work of Art

Josef Schulz designed not only the appearance of the building, but also its interior furnishings, including exhibition and depository furniture

Museum in 1901, Josef Schulz (1840–1917), 1898/1901, From the collection of: Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague
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View of the museum in 1901 after the completion of the building, Josef Schulz (1840–1917), 1898/1901, From the collection of: Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague
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View of the museum in 1901 after the completion of the building, Josef Schulz (1840–1917), 1898/1901, From the collection of: Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague
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The first permanent exhibition in the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, Josef Schulz (1840–1917), 1901, From the collection of: Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague
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Museum in 1900

Stained glass in the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague (1898/1901) by Josef Schulz (1840–1917)Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague

Josef Schulz: Total Work of Art

The interior decoration was also designed by architect Josef Schulz. After the National Museum and the Rudolfinum, it was his third and last large Prague building.

Detail of the decoration in the interior of the museum, Josef Schulz (1840–1917), 1898/1901, From the collection of: Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague
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Detail of the decoration in the interior of the museum, Josef Schulz (1840–1917), 1898/1901, From the collection of: Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague
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Detail of the decoration in the interior of the museum, Josef Schulz (1840–1917), 1898/1901, From the collection of: Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague
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Bust of Emperor Franz Joseph II in the ceremonial hall of the museum, Josef Schulz (1840–1917), 1898/1901, From the collection of: Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague
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Detail of the decoration in the interior of the museum, Josef Schulz (1840–1917), 1898/1901, From the collection of: Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague
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Detail of the decoration in the interior of the museum, Josef Schulz (1840–1917), 1898/1901, From the collection of: Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague
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Interior

Entrance staircase in the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague (1898/1901) by Josef Schulz (1840–1917)Museum of Decorative Arts In Prague

Reconstruction 2014-2017

The museum building underwent a challenging renovation that modernized the building for museum operations in the 21st century, but at the same time restored all the original elements in all their glory.

Credits: Story

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