Envision yourselves transported back to May 30, 1434. Right here before us stands Maroldovo panorama. It is not merely a painting. It is a time portal to the Battle of Lipany.
Maroldovo panorama is the largest painting in the Czech Republic. Luděk Marold created it. He worked with other painters. Together, they captured a pivotal moment in Czech history. The canvas stretches 11 meters high and 95 meters wide. It covers an area of 1,045 square meters. This artwork is a true spectacle.
The idea for Maroldovo panorama came about in 1897. Luděk Marold had just returned from Paris. He proposed creating an unusual painting for an upcoming exhibition. Marold wanted to depict a battle scene on flat terrain. Other subjects were considered. These included the Battle of White Mountain and the Battle of Domažlice. But Marold’s vision prevailed. Work on the painting began on February 7, 1898.
Marold did not work alone. He collaborated with several talented artists. Karel Rašek helped with the painting itself. Václav Jansa created the landscape. Karel Štapfer handled the scenic design. Theodor Hilšer worked on the coloring. Ludvík Vacátko specialized in painting horses. The team also added real objects to the foreground. These included a Hussite wagon. This created the illusion of three-dimensional space.
The painting depicts a key moment in the Battle of Lipany. The Panská jednota cavalry breaks through the wagon wall of the radical forces. The panorama gives the most space to this event. It also captures the command posts of both armies. Figures of commanders are visible. In the background, you can see the fleeing radical army. Smaller clashes occur on the edge of the battlefield. Look closely. You can see Lipanská hora with its prominent Lipanský smrk tree. The surrounding villages are also visible. These include Hřiby, Vitice, and Český Brod.
Maroldovo panorama was completed in time for the Exhibition of Architecture and Engineering. It opened on June 15, 1898. The exhibition took place at the Výstaviště in Královská obora. Ten years later, there was a threat. The original pavilion was to be demolished. The painting was to be sold. But the Association of Engineers and Architects intervened. They saved the artwork with financial help from Prague City Council.
A new wooden pavilion was built. Jan Koula designed it. However, disaster struck in 1929. The wooden roof collapsed under heavy snow. A third of the painting was destroyed. Other parts were torn. Thankfully, the painting was restored. The public, the state, and the Association of Czechoslovak Engineers and Architects provided funds. Vojtěch Krch designed a new reinforced concrete pavilion. Bohumír Číla restored the painting. The renovated artwork reopened on May 30, 1934. This date marked the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Lipany.
Maroldovo panorama has been restored several times since. The last restoration took place after the 2002 floods. The pavilion reopened in 2004. The City of Prague is considering a major renovation. In 2016, the building was in poor condition. The Museum of the Capital City of Prague managed the panorama until 2016. Now, Výstaviště Praha owns it.
Take a moment to appreciate this magnificent work. Maroldovo panorama offers a window into the past. It connects us to a significant moment in Czech history. It is a testament to the power of art. It illustrates the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.