Jan ŠTURSA, WINNER, ca. 1910

Bronze, marble (base), overall height 69.5 cm, base 5 x 7 x 9 cm
Signed; STURSA
On the pedestal a secondary plaque: SLOVANSKÁ ZEMĚDĚLSKÁ VÝSTAVA V PRAZE / 1948
The sculpture was a former prize for the winner of the Slovak Agricultural Exhibition in Prague in 1948.
Asking price 10000
Estimate 12000 - 15000
Jan ŠTRUSA
1880 New Moravian Town - 1925 Prague
Outstanding Czech sculptor. Graduated from the School of Sculpture in Hořice in 1898. after practicing in Germany for a year, in 1899 he was admitted to the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, where he studied with J. V. Myslbek. After completing his studies in 1904, he opened a studio in Maninách where he created symbolist works in the Art Nouveau style. From 1908 to 1914 he worked at the Academy as Myslbek's assistant. During this time he focused on sensual female nudes. From 1914-16 he served in the waxworks to become a professor in 1916 and the rector of the Prague Academy of Fine Arts in 1922. In his last period he focused on portraits. He was not only a great artist, but also an educator, raising a whole generation of sculptors known as the Štursa school.