Ginkgo and Art Nouveau in Prague

Ginkgo biloba and Art Nouveau in Prague

Hotel Central, Prague (photo Cor Kwant)

~~Prague, the city with the Ginkgo leaf houses~~

The Art Nouveau/Secession period began in Bohemia (now Czech Republic) at the beginning of the 20th century inspired by artists' travels abroad, studies and exhibitions. Well-known are the paintings by Mucha, sculptures by Bilek and many architectural monuments in Prague. The buildings in Art Nouveau style often have a design on their facade consisting of tree branches with leaves. The best example is the Municipal House (Obecní dùm).
During my visit to Prague in 2003 I discovered several buildings and objects showing the Ginkgo leaves/seeds design. Below you can see some of the photos I took in this beautiful city.

Click on the small photos to view an enlargement.

Obecní dùm

Monumental allegorical figures are displayed all over the facade of the building most of them with Ginkgo leaves and seeds. Also painted and gilded metalwork elements.
Style: NeoBaroque, NeoRenaissance and both Western and Oriental influences fuse together with Czech Art Nouveau.
Sculptures created by a number of renowned artists: Karel Novak, Ladislav Saloun, Antonín Mara, Eduard Piccart, Bedrich Simonovsky, Frantisek Kraumann, J. Pekarek, A. Zoula, Frantisek Rous, Antonín Strunc, Josef Maratka, Cenek Vosmik and Frantisek Uprka.
Inside the building work by well known Art Nouveau artists among others Alphons Mucha.
The building houses two restaurants, a cafe, a large concert hall (Smetana Hall) and offers a place for exhibitions.

Obecní dùm (Municipal House)
5 Namesti Republiky
1903-1912
(Architects Antonín Balsanek/Osvald Polívka)