Museum of Cubism in the House of the Black Madonna
Have you always wanted to know if a cubist chair is comfortable to sit in or does it simply look artistic? You can find out in the Museum of Czech Cubism in Prague and find out if a cubist chair is what you would like to have at home. The Cubism Museum is located on the second and third floors of the House of the Black Madonna in the Stare Mesto district, in a striking building and prime example of Cubist architecture.

Museum of Cubism
The permanent exhibition in the Museum of Cubism covers the period from 1910 to 1919. The exhibition showcases sofas, dressing tables, coat hooks, desks, tables, chairs and sideboards as well as tea and dinner services, glassware and paintings. If you want to try whether a cubist chair is comfortable, you are invited to do so. Two cubist chairs stand ready for you to find out. They are replicas and if interested you can buy them from Modernista, a design shop on the ground floor of the House of the Black Madonna.

Cubist Artists in Museum of Cubism
* The paintings on display are by Emil Filla, Bohumil Kubišta, Josef Čapek and the sculptures by Otto Gutfreund.
* The furniture designed by Josef Gocar, Josef Chochol and Pavel Janak are first-class examples of applied art, combining utility with art.
* Josef Chochol designed armchairs for the English Club at the Municipal House in Prague. His chairs are inspired by Gothic cathedral chairs.
* Josef Gočár designed furniture for Otto Boleška, a Czech actor. Gočár followed the principles of Cubism, sharp angles and triangles, yet his furniture is functional.
* The tea sets designed by Pavel Janak have a black zigzag design, are twelve faced conical in shape and have ball handles. The complete set includes cups and saucers, sugar dish, and teapot.
Most of the furniture and ceramics displayed can be bought at Modernista, a design shop on the ground floor of the House of the Black Madonna. More about Modernista

Czech Cubism
Cubism was popular in the early years of the twentieth century and several Czech artists applied this style in art and architecture. Cubism is characterized by acute angles, zigzag motifs, and triangular and quadrangular shapes. Geometry is a key component.
If this exhibition has piqued your interest, visit even more Cubist art at the Veletrzni Palac, Museum of Modern Art. Dukelských Hrdinů 47 in the Holešovice district.
If you have time go and have a look at the Cubist houses near the railway bridge at Vyton and when on Wenceslas Square, take a short walk to the only cubist lamp post in the world. More about the cubist lamp post.

The House of the Black Madonna
The House of the Black Madonna is the first cubist building in Prague and was built in 1911 as a department store. The house takes its name from the statue of the Black Madonna on the facade. On the first floor there is a cubist style cafe, not the original but a faithful recreation.
Tip 1: Make sure to walk all the way up in the House of the Black Madonna to admire the Cubist staircase.
Tip 2: Join the Art Nouveau and Cubism walk in Prague. This walk starts in the square in front of the Museum of Cubism. Book the Art Nouveau and Cubist guided walk.
Getting there
Address
Museum of Czech Cubism (Muzeum Českého Kubismu)
Ovocny trh 19, Stare Mesto, Prague
Opening hours
Daily from 10.00-18.00, closed on Monday
Photos: Marianne Crone
