New exhibition marks Wenceslas IV’s legacy












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            * New exhibition marks Wenceslas IV’s legacy,
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            * celebrates Bohemia's 'Beautiful' style

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            Between Two Ages is the sub-caption of a new exhibition which opened at Charles University

            marking the reign of Czech King Wenceslas IV, on the 600th anniversary of his death, a mon
            the period of prosperity under his father, Charles IV, and religious and social upheaval w
            Wenceslas IV’s legacy has often been judged harshly when compared to his father’s: one of 

            exhibition, on at the Carolinum, is to show him in a fairer light as a king and supporter 
            ruled for more than 40 years at a time when others’ hold on power was relatively short-liv
            At the opening, Vice-Rector Jan Royt told a packed room that – in effect – the king had go

            bad rap.
            “Wenceslas IV was often criticised in history as a drunken king, as someone deeply in the 
            father but we need to treat him a little more fairly. He was born into – and ruled over – 

            Europe, a period of uncertainty when Europe was hit by the plague, which saw the sudden de
            V of France (whose son and successor would be known as ‘The Mad’), a period of murderous c
            dukes.

            “After 1400, you had three popes, there was the demise of King Richard II of England (the 
            of Bohemia)… We have a lot to remember Wenceslas IV for, not least that he was a significa
            patron of the arts who supported architectural and religious works in International Gothic

            the Beautiful style). For these contributions alone, his legacy should be assured.”
            Not surprisingly, International Gothic style features richly in the exhibition: there is a
            Wenceslas IV Bible, a medieval codex with more than 650 illustrations. There are technical

            glorious period paintings by the Master of the Třeboň Altarpiece and others (the subject o
            Madonna with Child) - which should not be missed. Sculptural works are also featured, as a
            copies of the monarch’s crown.

            The venue, the Carolinum, is itself a stop on most Prague walking tours and many newcomers
            fascinated to learn than none other than Wenceslas IV donated the building to what is now 
            University, either in 1383 or 1387, according to estimates. As such, the Carolinum remains

            oldest functioning or actively used university buildings in the world, Charles University’
            Zima confirmed. According to Zima, only the church at Oxford, now a university café, and a
            University of Bologna, also in use, are older.

            Visitors to King Wenceslas IV – Between Two Ages interested in lost sites or works of arch
            they appeared in Wenceslas IV’s day, can also look forward to viewing architectural 3-D mo
            cathedrals or churches – some of which no longer exist.

            The models were designed and produced by students from the Czech Technical University in P
            Wednesday, they proved to be arguably the biggest draw for some visiting children, whose p
            had trouble tearing them away. Some of the little figures made to scale - representing com

            believers or clergy from the time of Wenceslas IV - were themselves torn off, as kids were
            them around some of the magnificent little buildings at hand.


            King Wenceslas IV – Between Two Ages - is open daily at the Carolinum between 10 am and 6 
            exhibition lasts until November 16, 2019. Admission is free.