Muchova family wants to prevent the relocation of the Slav Epic

Prague - The Mucha family today requested a preliminary injunction from the court. They want to prevent the moving of the Slav Epic to the Veletržní Palace in Prague. Representatives of the Mucha Foundation and the family said this to the journalists. They are dissatisfied that this is only a temporary solution and are demanding a permanent placement in the newly established gallery. The epic is currently in Moravský Krumlov. However, the Prague City Hall, which owns the work, wants to move it to the Veletržní Palace, supposedly because of the poor condition of the Krumlov castle.
The paintings are expected to be moved from Krumlov in the summer. The opening of the exhibition in the palace, which houses the National Gallery in Prague (NG), is planned for the end of September. Mucha's grandson John said today that he has heard reports that the epic could be in the Veletržní Palace for only about eight months, as the National Gallery has other plans for the space in the future.
NG spokesperson Petra Jungwirthová told ČTK that there is currently an agreement about the eight months - also considering the wishes of the painter's heirs, who are seeking a new pavilion for the permanent exhibition of the works. "It is a great honor for us to exhibit this work and if needed, we will continue to negotiate its further presentation with Prague and the heirs," she stated. According to her, negotiations are also ongoing regarding the conditions under which NG will lease the hall to Prague and whether the state gallery will not feel the loss from the income from commercial rentals of the hall.
The Mucha family wants the court to rule that Prague may not handle the epic until it is clear who has such a right. The family's legal representative Tomáš David plans to file a subsequent lawsuit in this matter in about a month. "The purpose of this legal route is to ensure that the decision-making regarding the Slav Epic belongs to the family," David stated.
"This is new to me. It seems completely absurd," reacted Prague's councilor for culture Ondřej Pecha (ODS) to the Mucha family's decision. "I have no idea what relationship the Mucha Foundation has with the Slav Epic," Pecha added, referring to the fact that the work is owned by Prague. He wants to consult further steps with lawyers. He stated that he has been long-term negotiating with all the heirs of Mucha regarding the fate of the epic, and he does not like the grandson's actions.
The capital city considers the current situation a misunderstanding. The exhibition in the Veletržní Palace, according to the city, does not change anything about the search for a site to build a separate exhibition. According to Pecha, however, the city has not yet received any project "that would have guarantees of feasibility." Thus, it does not take into account the study that the Mucha Foundation submitted some time ago.
Alfons Mucha dedicated paintings to Prague with the stipulation that the city would build a new gallery for them. John Mucha, who is the president of the Mucha Foundation, has long insisted on this requirement. He would like to see the new pavilion in Letná. He considers the Veletržní Palace a temporary solution and fears that this could jeopardize the intention to build a new exhibition hall.
The capital city negotiated with the family about the placement of the epic, discussing four variants. In April, the metropolis then decided on the relocation to the Veletržní Palace, which had not been discussed until that time. "Discussions with the City Hall had been in a positive spirit until then. However, temporary spaces are not an option; we want a definitive placement," said John Mucha.
The cycle of large 20 canvases, depicting themes from Slavic history, has been in the Moravský Krumlov castle for more than 45 years. Prague has extended the loan agreement several times.