Man, nature and their disasters

Humans are and have often been powerless in the face of natural disasters. However, they have often been partly responsible for them: floods are also caused by over-regulation of once free-flowing rivers. Landslides are the result of extreme precipitation, which - like storms or tornadoes - are increasing due to climate change. Air pollution has been damaging forests and farmland for many decades.

The exhibition with historical photographs from the Scheufler Collection focuses on natural disasters in the Czech lands. Almost all of the photographs date from the time of the imperial and royal monarchy in the period 1870-1918. Renowned photographers of their time such as Rudolf Bruner-Dvořák or František Krátký captured the consequences of the force of wind, water or fire in various Bohemian regions. The Charles Bridge in Prague, which partially collapsed due to flooding in 1890, can be seen as well as houses damaged by landslides in the Krkonoše Mountains or damage caused by open-cast mining in Brüx/Most. The role of humans is critically appreciated and thought-provoking in the context of current climate change.

Last edited on 16.12.2024