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Dali, Mucha, And Warhol At Gallery Of Art Prague (GOAP)

I was looking at spending my day in Prague’s Jewish Quarter, but somehow found myself at the Gallery of Art Prague, or GOAP, in the old town square. And what a lovely surprise that turned out to be as I didn’t even know of its existence.

The GOAP is home to exhibitions featuring three 20th century master artists: Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and Alphonse Mucha. One floor dedicated for each artist. You can purchase tickets a la carte style or buy a ticket with access to all three floors – which I highly recommend.

Dali’s works are located on the first floor, Mucha’s art on the second floor, and Warhol’s collection of works on the top floor. I started on the 2nd floor, as most of the people I walked in with went to see Dali.

Art Nouveau fairytales with Alphonse Mucha

Alphonse Mucha was the most prominent figure of the modern French Art Nouveau moment. Since I’m a fan of Art Nouveau, getting to see this Czech artist’s work was a real delight for me: the graceful women, delicate colours and decorative styling.

Mucha illustrated fairy tale books, epic poems, calendars, and magazines such as La Vie Parisienne and Le Monde Illustré. He designed jewelry, cutlery and other household items. Mucha worked with companies like JOB rolling papers, Moët Champange, Cassan Fils, and even the principality of Monaco, Monte Carlo, in hopes of attracting people to the seaside resort.

What Mucha is most famous for was designing the Gismonda poster and others for Sarah Bernhardt. The theatrical actress had been unhappy with a poster that was originally produced for her, and being that it was St. Stephen’s day, and most of the skilled draughtsman were away on holiday, Mucha was asked if he wanted to consider trying his hand at designing a panneaux (decorative panels produced in a narrow, elongated format and printed on silk or satin). He did and the rest as they say, is history.

Rock n Rolla with Andy Warhol at the GOAP

Warhol needs no introduction. At the GOAP, they had a room showcasing Warhol’s close associations to the music industry. Warhol was Velvet Underground’s band manager, introduced them to German singer, Nico, and produced their first album.

Warhol designed that Velvet Underground album, featuring a bright yellow banana with the caption, “Peel back slowly and see.” He also designed the cover art for Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers and Love You Live, as well as, creating portraits of Mick Jagger. Warhol also designed the cover to John Lennon’s posthumously released Menlove Ave.

Surrealist Salvador Dali at the GOAP

The first floor of the GOAP was dedicated to the works by Salvador Dali, another artist who needs no introduction. I’ve been fortunate enough to see his works at three stops on my European trip so far: Dali museum in Berlin, MOCO Museum in Amsterdam and now here, in Prague.

Like the other museums, there were no big paintings, but rather a collection of his prints, sculptures, graphics, woodcuts, and perfume bottles.

GOAP is a great, little niche museum. It’s nestled right in the Old Town Square and yet feels like it feels unnoticed by tourists, who are too preoccupied with other attractions or tourist traps. Head to the GOAP for three more reasons: to get away from the throngs of tourists, to find refuge from the scorching sun and to get lost in some great art.