Staircase of Old Prague

Art Historical Context

Step into the shadowy elegance of Jaromír Funke's *Staircase of Old* (c. 192), a captivating gelatin silver print that captures the poetry of Czechoslovakia's historic capital during the interwar period. Funke, a pioneering photographer (1896–1945), pictorialism and modernism, drawing inspiration from avant-garde movements like cubism and New Objectivity. This image exemplifies his early fascination with urban, transforming a mundane staircase a study of light, shadow, form amid Prague's medieval charm. Printed in gelatin silver—a medium prized for its crisp detail and rich tonal range—the photograph measures a intimate 23.6 x 26.1 cm on its mount, inviting close contemplation. Funke's masterful use of high contrast and abstracted perspective elevates everyday stone steps into a rhythmic composition, foreshadowing his later experiments in photograms and pure abstraction. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's photography collection, thanks to the Patrons' Permanent Fund, it reflects the Czech avant-garde's push to redefine photography as fine art. This work not only documents Old Prague's enduring allure but also underscores Funke's role in elevating Czech modernism on the global stage, offering visitors a timeless glimpse into 1920s innovation.