Prague Secession

The Prague Secession was an influential association of German-speaking artists active in Prague from 1928 to 1937. Established as a successor to the Junge Kunst organization, it united men and women in the arts, fostering a cosmopolitan worldview devoid of nationalism, and stood firmly against Nazism and the Third Reich​​.

This group was known for veering away from popular styles of the time, like expressionism, surrealism, and artistic abstraction, and instead gravitated towards modern realism. The Prague Secession held nine exhibitions, mostly at the premises of the Fine Arts Union (Krasoumná jednota), which were well-received and significantly contributed to the modern art landscape of Czechoslovakia​​​​.

Prominent founding members included sculptor Mary Duras, painter Grete Passer, and sculptor Gabriele Waldert, who were among the first women to study at the Prague Academy of Arts. Another notable member was Charlotte Schrötter-Radnitz, who represented Czechoslovakia at the Venice Biennale in 1926​​​​.

The Prague Secession's approach to art was part of a broader cultural narrative in Czechoslovakia, where debates over the role of art in visual culture and the place of women artists were ongoing. This movement, while short-lived, played a crucial role in shaping the artistic and cultural identity of interwar Czechoslovakia​​.

For collectors and art enthusiasts, the Prague Secession offers a unique insight into the interplay of art and politics in an era of significant change. To discover more about this movement and stay informed about related collections and events, sign up for our updates.