The bronze cloak sculpture that stood for more than twenty years in front of Prague’s Stavovské Theatre has been removed.

Known as the “Cloak of Conscience” or Il Commendatore, the work by Czech artist Anna Chromy has been placed in storage at the National Theatre.

City officials said the sculpture, despite its artistic value, had caused practical problems. Visitors frequently left trash inside it, some treated it as a toilet, and homeless individuals often slept at its base. Tourists also used the pedestal as a bench or a storage spot for their bags.

The sculpture depicts an empty cloak, symbolizing conscience, humility, and the inner void of a person who has lost themselves. The piece was inspired by the Commendatore from Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni, which premiered at the Stavovské Theatre in 1787.

The work divided opinion among residents. Many appreciated its reflective, philosophical nature, while others found it out of place in the historic city center. Critics had long suggested relocating it.

National Theatre spokesperson Tomáš Staněk confirmed that the sculpture is temporarily housed at the theatre’s depository at Anenské náměstí. It will remain there until Prague 1 chooses a new, more suitable location for public display.

Anna Chromy’s Legacy in Prague

Chromy, born in the Czech Republic and later based in France and Italy, passed away in Monaco in 2021. She donated several of her works to Prague, including the “Cloak of Conscience” after an exhibition at the Old Town Market in 2000.

Other donations include “Prague Spring” on Senovážné Square, dedicated to Czech musicians, and a monument to Franz Schubert in the garden of the Liechtenstein Palace. The Schubert sculpture also sparked controversy, as some academics noted that Schubert had never visited Prague and the installation was approved without an expert committee.

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