Cabinet of Life - a collection by Oldřich Uttendorfský

The exhibition presents a representative selection from the extensive collection of Oldřich Uttendorfský, which includes works of art, historical artifacts, and natural specimens.

The Cabinet of Life presents a representative selection from the extensive collection of Oldřich Uttendorfský, which includes artworks, historical artifacts, and natural specimens from various corners of the world. Alongside a rare shield of the Tuareg tribe, navigational maps of the Marshall Islands, and a turtle shell, contemporary Czech art will also be showcased – for example, works by Rony Plesl, Jakub Špaňhel, Krištof Kintera, Karolína Rossí, Jan Uldrych, and Federico Díaz. The history of collecting hides a number of treasures, but the so-called cabinets of curiosities hold a particularly exceptional place within it. Diverse collections of not only art but also other valuables, historical and ethnographic artifacts, or natural specimens were built primarily by representatives of the nobility, monarchs, or well-traveled and affluent burghers since the Renaissance. And it is precisely the cabinets of curiosities that inevitably come to mind when encountering the remarkable collection of Oldřich Uttendorfský. The extraordinary breadth of themes, disciplines, geographic origins, and periods of creation may seem random at first glance. In reality, however, it reflects a deep interest in human life. Indeed, no matter how diverse Oldřich Uttendorfský's collection is, one theme persistently returns: the cycle of life. As a former obstetrician, the owner of the collection naturally has a special sensitivity to motifs referring to birth, as well as to life itself and its finiteness. Therefore, we invite visitors to the exhibition: step into this breathtaking cabinet of life, set aside your expectations and preconceived notions about art, and let your curiosity guide you.