Visual arts in Czechia

The 14th century the influential German-Czech architect and sculptor Peter Parler was an innovator in creating the first bust self-portrait in Prague's St Vitus cathedral, which he designed. He also designed the Prague bridge Karlův most for Charles IV.

The Czech lands were part of the surge in Art Nouveau creation (in Czech secese, following Austria’s contemporary Secession movement, or nové umění) and Prague and cities such as Brno, Ostrava, Hradec Králové and Olomuoc show its influence. Alfons Mucha was a leader in Art Nouveau illustration and his work was admired in Paris.

Historically speaking, Czech painters were not famous internationally, apart from the Romantic artist Josef Mánes. But in abstract art the work of František Kupka was widely recognised and several figures made contributions in Surrealism and Cubism.