Czech art of this period stands favourable comparison with the world’s standard. This was brought about by several things at the same time, which this survey must not omit. Two exhibitions of the Decadent and Expressionist painter Edvard Munch took place in Prague. At the beginning of the 20th century, the French sculptors Bourdell and Rodin paid a visit to Bohemia, an exhibition of whose work was organized thanks to the Czech sculptor Mařatka, their former student.

As it is all around the world, Art Nouveau is closely linked to Symbolist art in Bohemia too. Symbolism represents what may be found in its very name: a symbol. The author does not communicate with the audience through the space of painting, individual figures, objects or moods, but he or she employs symbolic content, which these things convey. For example, Oedipus is no longer a mere picture of a well-built youth in a style imitating antiquity, but a set of many symbols, which refer to Oedipus’ tragic story.

Czech Art Nouveau and Symbolist painting are inspired by numerous influences – folk art, Nature (having an established tradition as an escape from the city), antique art and so on. Leading exponents of the Czech Art Nouveau include Alfons Mucha, Luděk Marold, Max Švabinský with the younger generation including Jan Preisler and sculptors including Jan Štursa, Josef Mařatka, Bohumil Kafka and Stanislav Sucharda.