Prague, the Czech Republic’s jewel of a capital, has long charmed international travelers with its striking Gothic spires, labyrinthine cobblestone streets and rich history. Yet while the city’s beauty has been fawned over for centuries, its art scene has somehow flown under the radar—a grievous oversight for those unfamiliar with Prague’s creative underpinnings. Among the in the know set, Czech artists are celebrated for their audacity. Prague’s art scene? It’s layered, unexpected, and often as much about resilience and transformation as it is about beauty.
Prague’s artistic pedigree is no accident—it sits squarely at the crossroads of Europe, a geographical blessing that made it an artistic melting pot for Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and modern movements. The city has played muse to a parade of luminaries: Gothic painter Master Theodoric, surrealist court favorite Giuseppe Arcimboldo and the abstract innovator František Kupka, all of whom made significant contributions to European art. (Don’t miss the Mucha Museum, dedicated to illustrator Alphonse Mucha!) Prague was also the birthplace of Czech Cubism, an avant-garde movement that combined Cubist aesthetics with practical architecture led by Pavel Janák, Josef Gočár and Emil Filla, whose geometric feats remain a Cubist anomaly on the global stage.
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Prague doesn’t live in the past, though. The city is dotted with public art installations that feel as much a part of its character as the Charles Bridge. Enter David Černý, the Czech artist-provocateur whose irreverent sculptures have turned the city into an open-air gallery. From the massive crawling babies scaling the Žižkov Television Tower to other subversive public artworks that gleefully poke at convention (like his 2004 Proudy), Černý’s creations demand attention—and get it.
Today, Prague boasts one of Central and Eastern Europe’s fastest-moving art markets, where young galleries spring up with the regularity of new tourists at Old Town Square. Each of these art galleries has its own take on temporality, style and medium. But let’s not forget the city’s stalwarts—those iconic galleries and cultural spaces that have been waving the flag for Czech and international artists long before the art world caught on. If you’re itching for an entry point into Central Europe’s thriving creative scene, look no further than Prague—a city with centuries of art history that has a bold, modern edge.
Pragues best art museums and galleries
Knupp Gallery
Established in 2013 by former financial trader Ales Knupp, Knupp Gallery is one of Prague’s most eclectic and ambitious art spaces. What began as a platform for promoting Czech contemporary art quickly grew into something larger; within a few years, the gallery began showcasing international contemporary artists alongside local talent. Today, the Knupp name is tied to an ever-growing collection that seamlessly blends Czech and European legends from the 19th and 20th Centuries—Chagall and Renoir included.
Nestled in a historic building in Prague’s Old Town, the gallery sprawls across multiple floors, with high-ceilinged and well-lit rooms hosting large canvases, intricate sculptures, and everything in between. The roster reads like a greatest hit list of Czech art history. There’s Kupka and Kamil Lhoták, beloved for his dreamlike cityscapes. Josef Lada, credited with founding the Czech modern fairytale genre, shares wall space with sculptural luminaries like Olbram Zoubek and Milan Kuzica.
Galerie KODL
Few art galleries have shaped Prague’s art scene quite like Galerie KODL. Established over a century ago, this storied institution built its reputation by specializing in Czech fine art from the 19th and 20th Centuries. Galerie KODL stays true to the classics, curating an impeccable selection of paintings, drawings, graphics and sculptures by some of the country’s most celebrated artists. Twice a year, the gallery steps into the spotlight with its prestigious auctions at Žofín Palace—events that draw collectors, connoisseurs and curiosity-seekers alike. These high-stakes affairs are preceded by pre-auction exhibitions at the gallery’s headquarters—opportunities to admire the works before they disappear into private hands.
Its most recent sale, the 92nd in its history, took place in November and spotlighted heavyweights of Czech art: Kupka’s work along with Alfons Mucha’s elegant Art Nouveau, Filla’s Cubist masterpieces, Lada’s whimsical storytelling and Václav Špála’s bold colorwork. Galerie KODL’s headquarters in Prague’s Old Town occupies two floors of a historic house with nearly 400 square meters of exhibition space with narrower rooms, lower ceilings and intricate wooden details that lend this gallery a unique charm.
Art Master Gallery
Established in 2000, Art Master Gallery is one of Prague’s longest-running privately owned art galleries, and its focus on contemporary Eastern European art gives it a niche all its own. The gallery doesn’t just represent Czech artists—it highlights talent from Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Poland and Hungary, among others. Some names on this art gallery’s roster are virtually unknown outside their home countries but ready to step into the international spotlight, and it has certainly put its money where its mouth is, with regular appearances at international art fairs across Europe. Stops in London, Oslo, Edinburgh and Vienna have earned the gallery a reputation as both a talent scout and cultural ambassador.
The gallery itself is tucked into a small historic building just a five-minute stroll from Prague’s famous Astronomical Clock. While it spans two floors, the exhibition space remains decidedly compact. The abundance of art—sometimes crammed into corners and spilling across walls—can give it a crowded feel, but that’s part of the charm. Art Master Gallery isn’t trying to be pristine or overly curated. Instead, it embraces its role as a scrappy, art-filled haven where discovery is half the fun.
The National Gallery Prague
Prague’s National Gallery is the crown jewel of the city’s art scene, offering an unparalleled exploration of artwork that spans centuries and styles while also spanning locations. Founded in 1796, it stands as one of the oldest public art galleries in the world and the largest in the Czech Republic. Unlike most museums centralized in a single location, the National Gallery’s collections are uniquely dispersed across some of Prague’s most historic sites, including Baroque palaces, medieval convents and grand castles. The Trade Fair Palace (Veletržní Palác) is the flagship venue, dedicated to 20th-century and modern art, where visitors can marvel at works by Czech luminaries like Emil Filla and Josef Čapek, alongside international masterpieces from the likes of Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, Klimt and Schiele. Vincent van Gogh’s Green Field (1889) is one of the gallery’s most recognizable pieces.
Beyond the Trade Fair Palace, each of the National Gallery’s other iconic locations has its own thematic focus. The Convent of St Agnes of Bohemia showcases medieval art, while the Sternberg Palace houses an impressive collection of European Baroque and Renaissance masterpieces. The Schwarzenberg Palace highlights Czech Baroque art in particular, and the Kinský Palace and Salm Palace provide stunning backdrops for rotating exhibitions and more specialized displays.
Kunsthalle Praha
Kunsthalle Praha, a private art museum that opened its doors in February 2022, has quickly established itself as one of Prague’s most vibrant and visited cultural destinations. Housed in the historic Zenger Transformation Station, a former industrial building with architectural charm, the museum stands as a modern beacon for contemporary art. Supported by the non-profit Pudil Family Foundation, Kunsthalle Praha is entirely dedicated to promoting a better understanding and appreciation of the development of Czech art from the early 20th century to the present. Its dynamic programming features temporary exhibitions, educational activities and an artist-in-residence program, all aimed at fostering artistic discovery and dialogue to explore trends and periods underrepresented or not widely known in the Czech Republic. Its growing collection includes significant acquisitions of works from the Fluxus movement, courtesy of Maria and Milan Knížák, and pieces from the private art collection of Eva and Petr Zeman. Artists represented include Alicja Kwade, Tomás Saraceno and Lina Lapelyte.
Cermak Eisenkraft Gallery
Cermak Eisenkraft Gallery has earned its reputation as one of Prague’s top dealers of post-war and contemporary Czech and international art. Founded in 2014 by Tomáš Zapletal and David Železný—two well-established players in the Czech art market—the gallery brings a mix of polish and pedigree to its impressive operation. It occupies the second floor of the historic Topičův salon, conveniently nestled right next door to Galerie KODL, creating a sort of high-art corridor for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Designed to house works across all mediums, the exhibition space is as versatile as it is elegant, with wide corridors, open areas and well-lit rooms whose high ceilings invite larger installations to shine.
The gallery’s roster is as eclectic as it is intentional, a curated mix that spans traditional paintings, sculpture and land art. Cermak Eisenkraft Gallery has a knack for championing artists whose work blends bold aesthetic sensibility with a radical edge—names like Jan Zrzavý, Zdeněk Sýkora, Theodor Pištěk and Jan Kubíček are frequent favorites. The contemporary lineup is no less ambitious, featuring heavyweights such as Magdalena Jetelova, Jakub Nepraš and Vladimir Skoda. Then there’s Milan Kunc, the originator of “Ost-Pop,” whose vivid, ironic works have earned him status as one of the most recognizable Czech artists on the global stage.
DOX Centre for Contemporary Art
The DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, located in Prague’s Holešovice district, has been a dynamic cultural cornerstone since opening in 2008. Housed in a renovated 19th-century industrial complex, this multifunctional space is the largest independent institution for contemporary art in the Czech Republic. Far more than a gallery, DOX weaves together visual art, literature, performing arts and architecture, creating an interdisciplinary platform that tackles current social issues. Its commitment to pushing boundaries has made it a vital arena for exploring diverse artistic approaches and trends. Beyond its exhibition halls, DOX also boasts a café, a bookstore and a design shop, offering visitors a well-rounded cultural experience.
A standout feature of DOX is the Airship Gulliver, a striking 42-meter-long steel and wood structure inspired by early 20th-century airships, perched dramatically on the rooftop. The DOX+ multifunctional hall further expands the institution’s offerings, supporting theatre and music programs that transform the everyday into the extraordinary.
The Museum Kampa
Founded in 2003, Museum Kampa has become a cornerstone of contemporary art in Central Europe, showcasing innovative works by some of the region’s most celebrated artists. Housed in the historic Sova Mills on Kampa Island, along the eastern bank of the Vltava River, the museum offers a striking blend of art and architecture. Its centerpiece, a large wooden sculpture of a chair by Magdalena Jetelová, stands as a prominent landmark visible from across the river, symbolizing the museum’s bold approach to art. The museum’s collection is rooted in the vision of Meda Mládek, whose private collection includes masterpieces by Kupka and Otto Gutfreund, a defining figure in Czech Cubist sculpture. Museum Kampa is dedicated to preserving and presenting the works of 20th-century artists from the Eastern bloc, offering a poignant reflection on the challenging times in which this art was created.
The museum’s exhibitions have featured works by world-renowned artists like Kveta Pacovská, Stanislav Kolíbal and Magdalena Jetelová, whose monumental wooden chair sculpture once symbolized the museum before being damaged by a flood in 2012. Another standout piece is Figures, created by the acclaimed Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz. Through its diverse collection and exhibitions, Museum Kampa seeks to bear witness to the resilience and creativity of artists who worked under the pressures of political and social upheaval. With its picturesque location and commitment to preserving the cultural memory of the last century, it’s a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the contemporary art scene in Prague.
