We took our time walking to the Veletrzni Palace, the temporary home of the Slav Epic. The city, Prague, which had overwhelmed us yesterday, felt different in the calm light of morning. We walked there hand in hand, taking it all in, while talking about nothing and everything.
I’d first seen the paintings years prior, and I loved it then. Now, here with my fiancée, Dani could experience it too, but I feared she wouldn’t like it.
The day before, I’d suggested the Mucha Museum.
Dani looked through the windows at the posters, jewelry, and advertisements.
“I think I’ve seen enough.”
I couldn’t blame her.
~
Now, we stood on the other side of the city. Today was a new morning, and I hoped the Slav Epic would change her mind.
Excited and nervous, I pulled open the doors and stepped inside Veletrzni Palace.
The room was dark and utilitarian, more warehouse or hanger than “museum”—a surrounding that disappeared without distraction.
Our eyes adjusted to the new light, and Mucha’s masterpiece appeared.
The first painting—it stood eight feet tall, dark, with black sky’s but muted greens and blues and the slightest hint of gold danced among the figures.
The colors built layers upon his paintings, unfolding and elevating them from a static image to a moving story. From the black of bondage, they transition to the radiant tones of the glorious future.
The story played out through twenty painting, each the size billboards that flanked the walls: The Czech people, noble humanitarians, ordained by God, wanting freedom, and destined for greatness.
“Oh.”
Danni let go of my hand and took two steps closer.
“This isn’t an ad, Is it? It’s almost sad, but it’s not.”
I reached over then and grabbed for her fingers, fumbling in the dark while not taking my eyes off it either.
I felt something tighten in my chest then. She was right. This was something else.
Together, we moved to the second painting, slower this time, than we’d walked all morning.
~
We exited the museum through the same doors we’d entered. The sun welcoming us where dim museum lighting had before.
Dark to light, black to gold: our future awaited.