The Soul of Moravia: Joža Uprka Reprised opens to the public October 4 at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. The exhibit, featuring more than 120 oil paintings, sketches, mixed media works and posters, will be open through March 29, 2026.
Joža Uprka (1861–1940), a Czech painter, often called the “Artist of the Moravian Soul,” blended academic technique with Impressionist influences to immortalize the customs and folk dress of his native region. Uprka is known for his richly detailed depictions of Moravian folklore, rural life and spiritual traditions at the turn of the 20th century.
For more than three decades, George Drost has searched the globe for Uprka’s paintings. A prolific artist, Uprka’s work has spread outward from Europe into several continents. The exhibit displays part of George Drost’s collection, which is the largest private collection of Uprka’s art outside of Europe.
Uprka’s works often portray the folk life of Southern Moravians during the late 19th and early 20th century. At a time of industrialization and urbanization, Uprka captured the simple nostalgia of the people of his birthplace. Born in Moravia, Drost started collecting Uprka works in the 1990s, drawn by the tie to his birthplace and the artist’s style.
During the exhibit’s opening day, Drost, a past chair of the NCSML Board of Trustees, will speak about the life and work of Uprka. On Saturday, October 4 at 1:30 p.m., Drost will detail the stories behind the paintings, including a painting the Nazis stole from the home of a Jewish family.
A larger-than-life reproduction of one of Uprka’s paintings now adorns the side of the Kosek Building, 87 16th Avenue SW, in Czech Village. “Moravian Madonna” spans a 24×26-foot section of the historic building and former interim home of NCSML following the devastation of the 2008 flood. A crowd of more than 60 people gathered for the dedication of the mural in September, including descendants of the artist.
To learn more about the exhibit, visit https://ncsml.org/exhibit/joza-uprka/
