Galerie Josefa Sudka Gallery

Welcome to the castle. You are standing in front of the House of Luna, which is located at the Úvozka in Prague and contains an important cultural monument, which is Galerie Josefa Sudka. Take a look at this historic facade and let the atmosphere of old Prague breathe on you. You are in a place where history of Czech art has been written and where time has produced an extraordinary human and creative story.

Let us now immerse ourselves in the origin and historical context of this place. It all began in nineteen hundred fifty-nine, when the extraordinary Czech photographer Josef Sudek moved into these premises. This humble and tireless light and shadow catcher lived here and formed until his death in nineteen hundred seventy-six. The house, also known as the Stone Column House, was then transformed into a living artery of Prague's cultural events. It was not just ordinary housing, but the real center of meeting the leading artists and intellectuals of the time. There were people meeting here who formed the form of our modern art. Later, in nineteen hundred and seventy eight, a gradual transfer of the artist's rich photographic estate to the Museum of Arts in Prague began. Then, in nineteen hundred and eighty-nine, when the museum took over the premises of the artist's apartment in its own administration, the road to fulfilling Sudko's legacy opened up. Several years later, in nineteen hundred and ninety-five, the photographic Galerie Josefa Sudka was officially made available to the public in these premises, which still operates today as a branch of the Museum of Arts in Prague.

Now pay attention to the construction itself and explore the details you have right in front of you. You are standing in front of a historic castle house whose architects remain unknown in history, but their work speaks for itself. Take a look at this ancient facade, perceive the solid walls and the shaping of a building that will carry the name of a great photographer forever. Try to imagine what it was like when Josef Sudek came through here every day with a heavy wooden camera over his shoulder. This building has no need for depth and authenticity. Every stone remembers a time when ideas were born here that exceeded the borders of our country. Let your eyes rest on the details of the exterior and imagine how modest the interior once hid a vast spiritual world.

Let's move on to stories and famous personalities that are deeply connected to this place. Josef Sudek wasn't alone in this house. The door to his apartment was open to the most important creators of the time. The poet Jaroslav Seifert often came here, whose verses still smell Prague and human kindness. He was meeting with the painter Jan Red, whose unmistakable manuscript admires the world. Among the regular guests were also the architect Otto Rothmayer, with whom Sudek shared a deep sense of the beauty of detail and geometry of everyday day. The photographer František Drtikol, another pillar of Czech photographic avant-garde, or Arnošt Pikart, was not missing. Imagine the endless conversations over a cup of coffee, viewing negatives, sharing joy and creative suffering in the castle's silence. This place was not just an address, it was a spiritual sanctuary where the history of Czech art was created.

Stop for a moment and see the interesting thing that surrounds this gallery. The House of Luna, also called the House of the Stone Column, carries a special paradox. The man who made Prague famous with his dark, but incredibly light images has lived a great deal of his life in these historic areas of the Constitution. Although Sudek suffered from severe physical disability and lost his right arm in the First World War, he was able to create a work of unimaginable value with heavy instruments. And it was this apartment, modest and yet full of art, that became the vessel of its genius. When the museum took over the premises and set up a gallery here, it made a promise that Sudek's spirit would never disappear from the Hradcany.

At the end of our meeting, I want to invite you to further explore. When you continue your walk around Hradčany and old Prague, remember Josef Sudek, his view of the world through the lens, his love of Prague corners and gardens. Thank you for your attention, I believe this recording was an enrichment for you, and I bid you farewell to the many wonderful experiences of discovering the sights of our beautiful metropolis. Goodbye.