Alphonse Mucha often painted members of his own family, especially his wife, daughter and son. This Portrait of Jaroslava is inside the exhibit, “Alphonse Mucha: Inspirations of Art Nouveau,” at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library through Dec. 31.
© Mucha Trust 2012
Since we’re new to Tumblr, here’s some background info: A group of second and third-generation descendants of Czech immigrants founded the Czech Fine Arts Foundation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with the purpose of preserving Czech heritage and culture. The group worked hard to gather Czech cultural artifacts, to share them at local events, and to give talks about Czech culture.
From there, word-of-mouth grew and the Foundation continued to grow until, in 1995, it blossomed in to a full-fledged National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library complete with a brand new building dedicated by presidents of three countries: Czech Republic, Slovakia and the USA.
In 2008, the Museum & Library was devastated by the Flood of 2008. Water rose to a record height beyond all predictions. Eight feet of water flowed through the Museum & Library, soaking everything in the Cedar River’s new path.
When the waters receded, everything was covered by mud and debris from the entire city. Relentless, the staff and volunteers quickly assessed the damage and began to clean up.
An unprecedented idea arose through the muck: a plan to literally move the 1400 ton building to a higher elevation to be protected in the future.
Beyond belief, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library reopened three times larger and 11 feet higher. July 14, 2012 marked a new beginning: the commencement of something bigger and better than ever before.
Are you an Iowan? We want to thank you for all of your support, especially over the last four years. Come in this Saturday for free admission! Just bring your Iowa I.D. (Iowa students are also free with student I.D.)
Want to see your favorite Mucha works in person? See the 230-piece collection that is only making one stop in the United States: the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. After December 31, it’s off to Japan. For more information, visit: http://www.ncsml.org/Content/Exhibitions/Alphonse-Mucha-Inspirations-of-Art-Nouveau.aspx
(c) Mucha Trust 2012
