Prague. The Face of Prague / L'Image de Prague. Photographs by M. Kuçera.

Artia (Prague, Czechoslovakia), no date (1958?]. Introduction by Jiří Körber. Forty full page black-and-white photographs. Text in English and French. First book in the Artion series. Hardcover in paper covered boards, tanned at edges, worn at tips, slightly bowed, no dust jacket.  Inscribed to Professor Kohn from “Wallace,” 1958. Uncommon.  Summary:

The Face of Prague / L’Image de Prague is a pictorial tribute to the city of Prague, capturing its beauty, character, and historic soul through a series of evocative black-and-white photographs by M. Kučera. The photographs showcase the city’s architectural richness, scenic streets, iconic landmarks, and timeless atmosphere, making visible both its grand monuments and its quieter, poetic corners.

Photographic Content:
The book consists of approximately 40 photographic plates reproduced (often in rich photogravure), each illustrating a facet of Prague’s appearance — from its ancient castle and bridges to secret lanes and garden terraces. The imagery traces both the city’s physical form and the mood of its spaces, allowing readers to see Prague much as a wanderer might discover it on foot.

Text and Themes:
Accompanying the photos is an English and French text (often attributed to Jiří Körber in editions and discussions), which reads like a poetic meditation on the city’s “many faces.” The narrative praises Prague as a place of historical depth and artistic spirit — “the golden, hundred-towered city on the Vltava” — and reflects on the enchantment that Prague holds for visitors and residents alike. The prose guides the viewer through French and English commentary on each scene, inviting appreciation of Prague’s blend of the ancient and enduring.

Tone and Purpose:
Rather than a dry travel guide, The Face of Prague functions as a visual ode — a celebration of place that uses photography to convey the city’s charm, complexity, and cultural resonance. The book presents Prague not just as a collection of sights but as a city with soul — a place whose atmosphere lingers in memory.

Landmarks and scenes in the book include:

• Vyšehrad Fortress – ancient ramparts and views over Prague’s historic core.

• Belvedere Royal Pavilion and Royal Gardens – Renaissance architecture near Prague Castle.

• Strahov Monastery – monastery complex overlooking the city.

• Malá Strana (Lesser Town) – atmospheric streets and arcades of this historic district.

• Church of Our Lady before Týn – Gothic church in the Old Town.

• Golden Lane (Zlatá ulička) – quaint historic lane at Prague Castle.

• Hradčany Square – Renaissance houses around the castle quarter.

• Church of Our Lady Beneath the Chain – small historic church and square near the river.

• Vrtba and Ledeburg Gardens – Baroque palace gardens in the Little Town.

• Charles Bridge and Vltava Views – iconic bridge and river scenes with the Hradčany panorama.