5th February, 2026, marks 230 years since the Society of Patriotic Friends of the Arts was founded, a private association aiming to open a public picture gallery and to build up its own art collection. To this day, the artworks acquired by the Society have formed a core of the NGP’s collections. Many of them are on display in the 1796—1918: Art of the Long Century exhibition, title of which refers to the association. Within the framework of this exhibition, a mini-exhibition marking the anniversary is presented as the 230 years brief outline culminating in the contemporary NGP established by a government decree in 1949. The mini-exhibition also covers the second predecessor to the NGP, namely the Modern Gallery, established by Emperor Franz Josef I in 1902. 70 exhibits from all five NGP collections — Collection of Prints and Drawings, Collection of Asian Art, Collection of Old Masters, Collection of Modern Art, and Collection of Art after 1945 — provide an insight into the gallery’s acquisition policy presenting important figures of the NGP history such as administrators of art collections, or donors. Photographs and archival documents also present the gallery’s displays and prestigious exhibition projects. Ten chapters cover periods of 1796—1818 to 2003—2026. Visitors get an opportunity to discover paintings by the Renaissance and Baroque masters which acquired by the NGP from art collections of the noble families who were behind the founding of the Society of Patriotic Friends of the Arts. Presented are paintings by Norbert Grund, Josef and Quido Manes, and Jakub Schikaneder, donated by distinguished personages such as Josef Hoser, Vojtěch Lanna, Josef Thomayer, Lepold Katz, and Emperor Franz Josef I as well as examples of acquisitions purchased in the second half of the 20th century, and the latest 21st century additions. Venue: Veletržní palác/Trade Fair Palace, South Wing, 4th floor 1796—1918: Art of the Long Century exhibition More date and time Tue—Sun: 10:00—18:00