Alice Masaryková: Podporovatelka umění na Pražském hradě
Alice Masaryková: Patron of the Arts at the Prague Castle

Summary/Abstract: The study focuses on the role of Alice Garrigue Masaryková,the eldest daughter of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first Czechoslovakpresident, as a patron of the arts. It explores the extent of her patronage in the following aspects: 1) art pieces donated by Alice to the Prague Castle from the family collection,2) Alice Masaryková’s cooperation with architect Josip Plečnikon the reconstruction of the Presidential Suite in Prague Castle and finally, 3) her participation in the creation of the collection of Fine Arts for the Prague Castle. The paper is based on archival research, predominantly in the Archive of the Presidential Office and the Archive of Prague Castle. Based on new archival findings, it further specifies the mechanism of Alice Masaryková‘s involment in the three discussed areas of patronage. AliceMasaryková’s support of the fine arts is analysed within the context of the current debate over definition of the term, addressing the internal differences between individual forms of patronage,and reaches the conclusion that the procedures employed by the Presidential Office and Alice Masaryková are rooted not only in the tradition of patronage and the expected habitus of heads of states but above all, in the social practices of charitable work.

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