Prague, Czech Republic, October 26, 2023 – The highly esteemed Lendl Collection, a remarkable compilation of posters and oil paintings by the renowned artist Alphonse Mucha, has found a new home with the investment group Wood & Company. Curated by Richard Fuxa and originally assembled by tennis legend Ivan Lendl, this prestigious collection carries an estimated value ranging between 250 to 300 million Czech koruna. Wood & Company, through its subsidiary Portu Gallery Investments, intends to offer this extraordinary collection to investors, with the goal of selling it within the next three to five years and sharing the resulting profits among stakeholders.

Under the guidance of Martin Jaroš, the director of Portu Gallery Investments, the gallery has plans to organize exhibitions that promote global recognition of Alphonse Mucha’s artistic legacy. These exhibitions aim to potentially boost the collection’s overall value. The Lendl Collection comprises a total of 422 artifacts, and the specific purchase price between Richard Fuxa and Wood & Company has not been publicly disclosed.

To finance this significant acquisition, the gallery is issuing shares valued at 270 million Czech koruna, enabling investors to participate with a minimum investment of one koruna. Investors will subsequently receive a portion of the collection’s appreciation as it gains value over time. The share offering will be available through Portu Gallery starting on October 28, coinciding with the anniversary of the establishment of the first Czechoslovak Republic, and will continue until November 28 or until the target funding amount is reached. This share offering stands as the largest in the gallery’s four-year history.

A portion of Mucha’s collection is presently on display at the Obecní dům (Municipal House) until March 8, 2024, while the remaining pieces are securely stored in the gallery’s repository.

The Legacy of Alfons Mucha (1860–1939)

Alfons Mucha, born on July 24, 1860, in Ivančice, embarked on his artistic journey as a painter of theatrical decorations in Vienna. He pursued his studies in art in Munich and Paris, where he gained recognition as an illustrator. After achieving widespread acclaim for his poster “Gismonda,” Mucha emerged as a leading figure in the Art Nouveau style. He later concentrated his artistic efforts on promoting the concept of Slavic unity.

Between 1904 and 1909, Mucha traveled to the United States on five occasions to gather support for his ambitious Slav Epic project, which celebrated humanity. American millionaire Charles R. Crane became his patron during this monumental endeavor. Tragically, the project remained unfinished, and Mucha passed away shortly after the Nazi invasion of Prague.

The Journey of Ivan Lendl (1960), the Collector

Ivan Lendl, a Czech-born tennis legend, attained worldwide recognition as one of the most successful tennis players in history. Over three decades, he meticulously assembled the largest and most comprehensive collection of Mucha’s posters. Jack Rennert, a globally renowned expert in applied art and posters, served as the curator of the Lendl Collection. In 2013, Lendl transferred ownership of the collection to private collector Richard Fuxa after organizing Prague’s largest and most visited exhibition of Mucha’s works.

Richard Fuxa (1966), the Steward of the Collection

Richard Fuxa, a private collector and co-founder of the BigBoard group, as well as the Prague Center for Contemporary Art, DOX, acquired the Lendl Collection in 2013. Under his stewardship, the collection expanded to encompass 129 artifacts, and numerous exhibitions were organized to celebrate Mucha’s work. Fuxa also established the Richard Fuxa Foundation, which champions cultural projects and serves as the chairman of the BigBoard Foundation, promoting charity, culture, and enhancing public spaces.

With the transfer of the Lendl Collection to Wood & Company, a new chapter begins for this exceptional compilation of Alphonse Mucha’s masterpieces. Wood & Company’s plans to promote the collection through exhibitions and its global reach are anticipated to further enhance the cultural significance and value of these remarkable works of art, continuing their legacy for generations to come.

Article by Prague Forum