The Slav Epic will be moved to Prague, for the time being

A South Moravian court has ruled that the Slav Epic, the masterpiece of artist Alfons Mucha, must be turned over to the City of Prague for a prepared exhibit in the National Gallery. The decision overrules a restraining measure filed by the town of Moravský Krumlov to prevent the renowned, 20-canvass artwork from being relocated until questions regarding its ownership are resolved. Mucha’s will bestows the paintings to the City of Prague, though only on the condition that a special pavilion is created for them. No such venue was ever built, and the court based its decision on a 1993 document through which Prague assumed ownership of them from the Ministry of Culture. The decision may be appealed, however Moravský Krumlov must hand over the artwork at least until the planned exhibit ends on May 31.