Adolf Born: Journeys with a Surprise

Set out for lands where ladies in bizarre hats fly above the sea and wide-eyed cats carry fish on their backs. This exhibition will guide you through the imaginative world of Adolf Born—a master of exaggeration, elegance, and precise linework.

This showcase of graphic works, held under the patronage of Mrs. Ema Bornová, marks ten years since the passing of one of the most distinctive figures in Czech art—the author of hundreds of unmistakable illustrations, known among others from the stories of Mach and Šebestová or from Jules Verne adaptations. Adolf Born’s work resonates across generations. His drawings possess lightness, wit, and a gentle poetic quality that remains just as powerful today as it was in the past.

At the exhibition Journeys with a Surprise, you will see works that truly surprise—with a subtle punchline, an unexpected situation, or a character stepping out of the story. You will visit Venice, Africa, Turkish harems, and the era of Rudolf II; you’ll encounter circus performances, cunning pets, and weary beasts. Born’s imagination is kind and attentive—his humor is never obvious and invites you to look a little longer.

Come experience an exhibition that combines the joy of storytelling with artistic virtuosity. Whether you have long known Adolf Born or are just discovering him, you will leave with a smile.