Permanent exhibition of polygraphy in the National Technical Museum

The conception of a permanent exhibition in the NTM in Prague it is built on the idea that the exposition of a modern museum should have as much to offer to an informed audience as it does to the uninitiated. The concept of a living, operational, functionally used historical printing workshop, which led to victory in the initial tender, was only partially fulfilled: The potential of actively using the real operability of a number of exhibitions has remained unused for the time being.

The trust in the meaningfulness of the established concept gave birth to the atmosphere of a printing house – albeit quiet, nonetheless authentic, the way it looked at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when it was still possible to observe printing as a process, moreover, in a full range of techniques. The artistic concept features installing massive polygraph machines, still often functional today. The treatment of the original, rough space, revealed during the overall reconstruction of the museum, allowed the use of typical surfaces and details to prepare a natural printing environment, enhancing the effect of authentic polygraph exhibits.


  • Atelier.. (two dots) – Jan Klempíř and Kryštof Štulc
    photo: NTM