Prague Art Nouveau exhibition opens in Trieste

The Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague (UPM) has partnered with the Friuli Venezia Giulia museum network and Miramare Castle to present an exhibition on Prague's Art Nouveau in Trieste. The UPM's historic building is closed for renovation until early 2018, prompting the loan of its collections. The show highlights the shared Austro-Hungarian heritage of the two cities, featuring works by Alphonse Mucha and Gustav Klimt, as well as furniture by Czech artists and architects trained under Otto Wagner, such as Jan Kotěra and Leopold Bauer. Many pieces debuted at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle, commissioned by the Prague Chamber of Commerce for the new industrial bourgeoisie. The exhibition also includes glassware from Johann Lötz, tapestries, jewelry, and fashion, reflecting the luxury goods market of the era. Curators attribute to Art Nouveau a strong ethical charge and commitment to transforming living environments and social conditions.