On May 6 at 5:30 p.m., the magnificent Municipal House (Obecní dům) in Prague hosted the festive opening of the exhibition “Divine Stories” by German artist Wolfgang Beltracchi. The event took place under the auspices of the Mayor of Prague, Doc. MUDr. Bohuslav Svoboda, CSc., and attracted numerous guests from the worlds of art, diplomacy, politics, and culture.

Wolfgang Beltracchi is considered one of the most fascinating and controversial personalities in the international art world. Born in 1951 in Höxter, Germany, he grew up in an artistic environment. His father worked as a church painter and restorer, which exposed Beltracchi from an early age to classical painting techniques, art history, and restoration methods. He quickly developed an extraordinary talent not only for reproducing artistic styles, but also for understanding the creative language and mindset of famous painters.

Beltracchi gained worldwide fame through one of the most spectacular art forgery scandals in modern history. Over several decades, he created paintings in the style of renowned twentieth-century artists such as Max Ernst, Heinrich Campendonk, Fernand Léger, and Kees van Dongen. Many of these works were accepted as authentic by respected experts, galleries, and auction houses and were sold for millions of euros on the international art market.

The case sparked a global debate about the mechanisms of the art market, the reliability of expert opinions, and the very definition of authenticity in art. While critics regarded him as a master forger, others viewed him as an exceptionally gifted artist with a nearly unparalleled understanding of modern painting techniques and artistic styles. Following his conviction and prison sentence, Beltracchi began working openly under his own name and gradually transformed himself into a public figure who speaks openly about art, creativity, originality, and the weaknesses of the international art world.

The exhibition “Divine Stories” presents works from Beltracchi’s more recent artistic period. The collection focuses on large-scale paintings, symbolic motifs, and narrative compositions that combine religious, mythological, and human themes. His works are characterized by vivid colors, technical virtuosity, and a playful dialogue with art history. Beltracchi combines classical artistic traditions with contemporary expression, creating visual worlds that move between dream, memory, and spiritual symbolism.

The choice of venue added particular prestige to the exhibition. The Municipal House is one of Prague’s architectural landmarks and is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most important Art Nouveau buildings. With its richly decorated halls, elaborate ornamentation, and deep historical significance, the building regularly hosts major cultural and social events in the Czech capital.

The exhibition opening was attended by numerous guests who took the opportunity to view Beltracchi’s works at close range and discuss the extraordinary life and career of the artist. The event successfully combined contemporary art, intellectual discussion, and the unique atmosphere of one of Prague’s most beautiful historic buildings.