Page 150 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Prague

148  PR A GUE AREA B Y AREA

Art Nouveau in Prague

The decorative style known as Art Nouveau originated in
Paris in the 1890s. It quickly became international as most
of the major European cities quickly responded to its
graceful, flowing forms. In Prague it was called “Secese”,
and at its height in the first decade of the 20th century,
dying out during World War I, when it seemed frivolous
and even decadent. There is a wealth of Art Nouveau
in Prague, both in the fine and decorative arts and in
architecture. In the New Town and the Jewish Quarter
(see pp82–95), entire streets were demolished at the turn Praha House
This house was built in 1903 for
of the century and built in the new style. the Prague Insurance Company.
Its name is in gilt Art Nouveau
Architecture letters at the top.
Art Nouveau made its first
appearance in Prague at the
Jubilee exhibition of 1891.
Architecturally, the new style
was a deliberate attempt to
break with the 19th-century
tradition of monumental
buildings. In Art Nouveau,
the important aspect was
ornament, either painted or
sculpted, often in the form
of a female figure, applied
to a fairly plain surface. This
technique was ideally suited
to wrought iron and glass,
popular at the turn of the
century. These materials were Hotel Central Hlahol Choir Building
light but strong. The effect Built by Alois Dryák and Bed řich The architect Josef Fanta embell-
of this, together with Art Bendelmayer in 1900, the façade ished this building, dating from
Nouveau decoration, created of this hotel has plasterwork 1905, with mosaics and sculptures
buildings of lasting beauty. shaped like tree branches. by Karl Mottl and Josef Pekárek.
Ornate
pilasters

Decorative
statues

Brass and
wrought- iron
balustrade
Hotel Meran Hlavní nádraží
Finished in 1904, this grand Art Prague’s main railway station was completed in 1901. With
Nouveau building is notable for its huge interior glazed dome and elegant sculptural
its fine detailing inside and out. decoration, it shows many Art Nouveau features.

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