View of the Old Town Square with the Theyn Church in Prague 1843

Rudolf von Alt made this watercolor painting of Prague’s Old Town Square and the Theyn Church sometime in the 19th century. It encapsulates the public role of art as a record of place, but also as a reflection of cultural values. Consider the architectural dominance of the Theyn Church, which visually asserts the power of religious institutions. It's no accident that Alt positions it centrally, towering over the figures in the square. This was Austria-Hungary, and the painting subtly reinforces the established social hierarchy. The Church was still a major social institution, the fountain in the square a meeting point for ordinary citizens. But what is the public role of art? Paintings like this give us a window into understanding the relationship between the physical space of the square, and the social space that it enabled. Detailed historical maps, church records, and even old newspapers can help us understand what life was like in Prague at the time. Understanding art means understanding its context.