The history of glassmaking stretches back thousands of years. During the second half of the 20th century, this craft was expanded to include a new field – studio glass. This resulted in new works comparable to contemporary painting and sculpting. The former Czechoslovakia soon became a major player in studio glass production, boasting such globally recognised names as Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová; Miluše and René Roubíček; Václav Cigler; Vladimír Kopecký; Jiří Harcuba; and František Vízner.

The Portheimka Summer Palace features works from a number of noted glass artists. Such works are presented in a manner designed to reflect the location’s historic baroque atmosphere. Individual rooms evoke past glories, when the Palace was used to lift spirits, entertain, and enthral. The rooms carry specific names: Chapel, Banquet Hall, Marble Hall, Landscape, Study and Theatre. In addition to its permanent glass art exhibition, the Portheimka Museum also offers a rich and engaging programme of short-term exhibitions as well as events geared towards education, enlightenment and cultivated entertainment.