The Dancing House Gallery in Prague has announced that Robert Vano’s final retrospective exhibition will remain open until April 6, 2026, following overwhelming public interest.

The exhibition, originally scheduled to end this autumn, has been expanded to include a selection of rare platinum photographs from the artist’s private archive.

The exhibition offers a comprehensive view of Vano’s career spanning more than five decades. Visitors encounter his work across continents and decades, from New York in the 1980s, where his career began, through Paris and Milan, to Prague, the city he eventually made his home.

One of the major additions is ten platinum prints, half of which have never been shown publicly before. The rest were last exhibited more than fifteen years ago.

Platinum printing is a highly demanding and expensive technique, practiced by only a handful of photographers worldwide. Vano first encountered it in the 1960s at an exhibition of American photographer Irving Penn and began experimenting with it in the early 1990s.

Platinum photographs are known for their depth and durability, retaining their quality for centuries. “I found a 150-year-old recipe for platinum printing. It said: apply a mixture of iron, salt, and platinum to paper with a brush, then expose it to the sun for five minutes. It took me three years of trial and error before I perfected the process,” Vano recalled.

The gallery also offers visitors the chance to purchase original Vano photographs directly from the exhibition. These works, bearing his unmistakable signature style, are presented as both artistic investments and unique gifts for collectors and photography enthusiasts.

On November 22, 2025, the Dancing House will host a special event: a book signing of Vano’s new publication ROBERT VANO. Visitors will be able to meet the photographer in person among the displayed works. Additional guided tours led by Vano himself have also been scheduled, with registration available on the gallery’s website.

Born in 1948 in Nové Zámky, Slovakia, to Hungarian parents, Vano emigrated to the United States after finishing school, beginning his career as a hairdresser and make-up artist before moving into photography.

Following the fall of communism, he returned to Prague, where he later served as creative director of the Czech and Slovak edition of Elle magazine. Since 2009, he has worked independently, with Prague as his main base.

Exhibition Details

• Dates: May 6, 2025 – April 6, 2026 (extended)
• Location: Dancing House Gallery, Jiráskovo náměstí 6,
• Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 – 19:00, including public holidays
• Tickets: Adults 225 CZK, Seniors/Students 175 CZK, Children 150 CZK, Disabled 100 CZK, Family ticket 550 CZK

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