Langweil's Model of Prague

[3] Langweil's Model was not created in order to document Prague's appearance but was rather intended as an original work of art – a three-dimensional picture of the city or a relief veduta.

The facades of buildings do not only show structural and decorative details, such as house signs, frescoes and sundials, but also all sorts of features caught in that moment, such as flaking walls, broken windows and climbing plants.

In various courtyards and secluded spots we find stores of barrels, a scene from a pig-slaughter or a ladder leaning against a wall.

After the exhibition ended Langweil plucked up the courage to write a letter to the monarch asking for financial support in order to complete work on the model but the request was turned down.

The Emperor bought the model for a symbolic price and generously donated it to the Patriotic (now the National) Museum in Prague.