Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/65

49 A green little is let covered with sallows and poplars makes a fine foreground to this picturesque group, surmounted by the high dome of its church, which in patina-green forms a pleasing contrast to the dark masonry of the Old town bridgetower and to the ochre colour of the Old town water-works. In the meantime we have passed the footbridge and stand before the Rudolphinum an extensive building which contains the famous Prague Conservatorium of Music, the scene of Dvořák’s and Ševčík’s activity, visited now by numberless pupils from distant England and America. Here at the same time is the largest Concert-Hall of Prague in which musicians from home and from abroad, amongst them also the most prominent of Ševčík’s violine-pupils vie for distinction and fame.

Another part of the building is devoted to temporary exhibitions of Art and to the Picture-Gallery of Patriotic Friends of Art where we find splendid specimens of the Prague school of Painting from the XVIIth. and XVIIIth. century (Karel Škréta ze Závořic, Václav Reiner, Peter Brandl, Balko) as well as representatives of the Italian, Dutch, Flemish and German schools. In the modern section, works by the most perhaps eminent Bohemian painters and artists, from the beginning of the XIXth. century, up to our time, are represented, amongst the renowned the founder of an original Bohemian School Manes, besides Václav Brožík, Čermák, Ženíšek, Hynais, Mucha, Mařák, Liška, Aleš, Marold, Myslbek and others. There is also a collection of etchings worthy of attention, particularly those by Hollar from the XVIIth. century. After a cursory inspection we leave the Rudolphinum and are newly enchanted by the all-surmounting view of the Royal Castle ascending to the height beyond the broad river in all its majesty. We feel refreshed by this majestic sight after the examination of the copious collections, and turn now to the neighbouring Artistic and Industrial Museum, which was built after the designs of Prof. Schulz, and splendidly ornamented by frescoes of the best Bohemian painters. In a row of light, spacious, and splendidly appointed rooms, rich collections are kept and an extensive library of books treating on industrial matters. Worthy of notice are the special collection of old Bohemian and especially Prague 4