The Slavic Epic will remain in Moravský Krumlov for another five years

Prague - Prague will extend the contract with Moravský Krumlov for the loan of the large-format paintings by Alfons Mucha, the Slav Epic, for five more years until 2031. This was approved today by the city councilors. The canvases are exhibited at the Moravský Krumlov castle, and the current contract expires on May 20, 2026. The city wants to extend the loan because it is still involved in legal disputes with Mucha's heirs regarding the ownership of the paintings, which, according to Deputy Mayor Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09), must be resolved first before a final decision on the placement of the works is made.

"At this moment, we cannot make a final decision because we are in ongoing legal disputes about ownership with one or another branch of the family," Pospíšil said. The city had previously been in litigation for years with the painter's heir John Mucha, with whom an agreement was reached some time ago. However, another heir, Jarmila Mucha Plocková, subsequently filed a similar lawsuit to determine the owner of the canvases.

The agreement with John Mucha anticipated that the paintings would be located in the basement of the Savarin shopping center near Wenceslas Square, which the Crestyl group plans to build around the same-named palace. However, this is not acceptable to the painter's other heir, so the negotiations came to a halt. Pospíšil said today that another possible solution is to place the canvases in the Lapidary at the Exhibition Ground.

"Right now, however, we need to focus on the legal disputes," the deputy said. He added that negotiations with the heirs are complicated. "The situation is such that the surviving relatives have very tense personal relationships. And if we reach an agreement with one part of the family, the other rejects it a priori," he stated. Nevertheless, he believes that a solution is emerging.

According to Pospíšil, the extension of the loan to Moravský Krumlov will include the option for the city to terminate the contract without reason with a notice period of one year. In 2028, the city hall will then borrow the paintings for ten months, as it will be the 100th anniversary of their painting, and they will be displayed in Prague. "Negotiations are underway for the Veletržní Palace, among others," the deputy said.

The Slav Epic cycle consists of 20 large canvases that Mucha painted over a total of 18 years starting in 1910. After completing the work, he gifted it to Prague on the condition that it would build him dignified exhibition spaces, although he did not set a deadline. Permanent spaces for the Slav Epic have been sought in the metropolis since the beginning of the last century.