Chrám Sv. Mikuláše

CHURCH OF ST. NICHOLAS

Karel Chaba – The Painter Who Gave Prague the Colours of His Dreams Karel Chaba was a distinctive figure in Czech painting during the second half of the twentieth century. His artistic career was closely associated with Prague, whose historic streets, rooftops, towers and churches he portrayed with remarkable imagination and a highly individual artistic style. Unlike academically trained painters, Chaba developed his artistic approach largely independently. This freedom allowed him to establish a distinctive visual language that did not conform to traditional rules of perspective or realistic representation. For Chaba, Prague was more than an architectural subject. It was a living world filled with memories, atmosphere and stories. His paintings are characterised by bold areas of colour, rhythmic lines and poetically stylised buildings. In his work, the historic city takes on an almost fairy-tale quality, where reality and imagination naturally merge. Chaba's paintings have attracted admirers through their spontaneity, optimistic colour palette and ability to evoke the joy of familiar Prague landmarks. His unmistakable artistic language remains instantly recognisable and represents a distinctive chapter in Czech urban landscape painting. ARTWORK DESCRIPTION Church of St. Nicholas – Prague as a Colourful Fairy Tale The present oil on canvas, measuring 70 × 95.5 cm, depicts a captivating view of historic Prague, dominated by the monumental dome of the Church of St. Nicholas. Karel Chaba presents the city from an elevated perspective, opening a fascinating panorama of red rooftops, picturesque buildings, church towers and the blue waters of the Vltava River. At the centre of the composition rises the majestic Church of St. Nicholas, its characteristic green dome forming the natural focal point of the painting. The surrounding architecture is rendered in a rich palette of yellow, orange, red, blue and violet. In the background, the Vltava River winds beneath a stone bridge, beyond which stylised trees and additional Prague buildings emerge. Above the city stretches an intensely blue sky filled with soft, almost dreamlike rounded clouds. Chaba does not seek to reproduce Prague with photographic precision. He paints the city as he experiences it – a place filled with colour, light, imagination and joy. One of the defining features of the work is its expressive architectural stylisation. Buildings lean gently, rooftops form rhythmic diagonals and windows become repeated accents of colour. Perspective is subordinated to the overall harmony of the composition, giving the painting its distinctive dynamism. Particularly striking is the contrast between the warm red rooftops and the deep blues of the river and sky, while the green dome introduces a harmonising colour accent at the centre. The artist uses strong outlines to emphasise architectural forms, lending the painting an almost graphic clarity. At the same time, the coloured surfaces are animated by small brushstrokes, preserving the richness of the painterly texture. The smaller details are especially charming: blue windows, neatly arranged chimneys, intricate rooftops and rounded trees. These elements create Chaba's unmistakable artistic signature and invite the viewer to discover new aspects of the composition with every viewing. The generous 70 × 95.5 cm format allows the richness of the composition and intensity of colour to be fully appreciated. The painting is presented in a simple wooden frame that directs attention towards the artwork itself. The work comes from the Zámecká Collection, adding an interesting provenance to its collecting history. Church of St. Nicholas is a compelling example of Chaba's distinctive vision of Prague – a city transformed into a timeless, joyful and almost dreamlike world. CURATOR'S TIP We all know Prague. Yet few artists have painted it in a way that makes us fall in love with the city all over again. Karel Chaba possessed a remarkable ability to transform familiar views of historic Prague into colourful visual stories. His Prague is not a cold architectural study, but a city filled with life, optimism and poetic imagination. This painting is particularly distinguished by its generous composition. The monumental dome of the Church of St. Nicholas provides a powerful central focus, while the surrounding rooftops and buildings spread out like a colourful mosaic. Especially beautiful is the contrast between the warm tones of the historic rooftops and the deep blue of the Vltava River. This colour harmony gives the painting both vibrancy and balance. The generous format allows the viewer to appreciate the numerous details characteristic of Chaba's distinctive artistic style. Its provenance from the Zámecká Collection adds another appealing dimension to the work's collecting history. We particularly recommend this painting to admirers of Prague, collectors of Czech modern art and those seeking a work with an unmistakable atmosphere and strong decorative appeal. This is more than a painting of Prague. It is Prague with a smile. FOR INVESTORS Karel Chaba established a distinctive position in Czech painting through his highly recognisable artistic style and enduring fascination with Prague's historic cityscape. His characteristic urban views are particularly appealing to collectors who appreciate an unmistakable artistic signature, vibrant colour and the combination of artistic merit with decorative impact. The present Church of St. Nicholas is distinguished by its impressive 70 × 95.5 cm format, rich composition, iconic Prague subject and intense colour palette. Additional points of interest include its provenance from the Zámecká Collection and the handwritten inscription identifying the subject on the reverse of the canvas. The starting price of just CZK 70,000 offers a highly attractive opportunity to acquire a large and visually striking painting by Karel Chaba, featuring one of Prague's most beautiful architectural landmarks. For collectors of Czech art and admirers of historic Prague alike, this offering combines a distinctive artistic style, impressive scale and captivating atmosphere in a single work.