Prague Plans to Replace Controversial Copy of Mánes Calendar on Astronomical Clock

Prague City Hall has announced plans to replace the “botched” copy of the Mánes calendar installed during the 2018 reconstruction of Prague’s famous astronomical clock.

The unveiling of the reconstructed Old Town Clock in 2018, was accompanied by much pomp and ceremony, but later came to light that the copy of Josef Mánes’ calendar, admired by millions of tourists all year round, is a far cry from the original, which is housed in the Prague City Museum.

A closer inspection revealed that the author of the copy – artist Stanislav Jirčík – took a lot of creative license in reproducing Mánes’ work.

According to Milan Patka, from the Club for Old Prague, which filed a complaint about it, the changes were considerable and there was no good reason for them.

In one depiction, intended to represent Virgo, the original of a girl with red hair and a distinctive ribbon is replaced with a middle-aged, modern-looking woman with grey or highlighted hair and an earring. In another instance, a smiling female Aquarius has been transformed into a man with short hair.

Jiřčík also changes Mánes’ original painting of a predominantly black dog to one with a brown and white coat and raised tail.

The city council of Prague has now approved an agreement with Subterra, in collaboration with Avers, the companies responsible for the clock’s restoration.

As per the agreement, Subterra will bear the expenses for dismantling the existing calendar and installing the new replica, including the production of a new copper base plate.

Prague City, on the other hand, will cover the costs associated with painting the new plaque, a task entrusted to the Academy of Fine Arts.

The Atelier of Restoration of Paintings and Polychrome Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague will oversee the production of the restoration, ensuring the highest quality of work.

The estimated price for the project, excluding VAT, is CZK 1 million.

The original monthly calendar, painted by Josef Mánes in 1866, has been on display since 1882.

The old calendar board suffered significant damage in 1945. From 1946 to 2017, the clock featured a replica created by restorer Bohumil Číla, based on the original design.