Classical mythology has been one of the main sources of inspiration for European artists for centuries. It also remained current during the 20th century. From the 1920s, one can see increasing interest in classical myths; it becomes a source of inspiration even for artists of avant-garde art movements. The 20th century artist approach themes from classical mythology from a position of newly acquired artistic freedom. Release of iconographic conventions and academic rules, emphasis on psychology and individuality of a modern man brings specific forms of reception and reinterpretation of classical myths. In many cases, classical mythology carries allegorical meanings in a relation to contemporary political and social events, often in a very critical tone. But it also represents a tool for one's personal coping with reality. The thirties and early forties of the 20th century with dark atmosphere affected by war conflicts represent the culmination period of classical myths in visual arts. The tendency can be observed both in the art of European and Czech origin. Antiquity and classical mythology become the symbols of a return to the roots of European culture and civilization, symbols of the common European humanistic heritage. The collection of nearly 180 works of modern Czech art inspired by classical...

The subject of this paper is the study of history of the Kačina Chateau from the point of view of its inspiration from the art and architecture of the ancient world. The introductory chapters were dedicated to the general atmosphere of the time in which the castle was designed and built, the general ideas of the Enlightenment, and also to its relations to Count Chotek. There is an unresolved problem whether its relations to Classical antiquity monuments existed directly, or if they were mediated by other sources. While working on the theme it turned out that the foundation of Kačina Chateau derived from earlier models that were developed during centuries. The work of Marcus Vitruvius Pollio was of substantial importance for all Classicist architecture and especially the architects of the Renaissance knew it very well and used it frequently. For the architecture of Kačina Chateau the most important stimuli were those of Andreas Palladio who transformed earlier patterns according to his own artistic views. One of the following chapters concentrates on the personality of the owner of the estate, the Count Jan Rudolf Chotek, and then on the architects and builders of the castle. Following chapters are dedicated to the description of the castle, of its exterior, the segmentation of its interior...