Lot 85

Jan Štursa (1880 - 1925) WOUNDED

This iconic sculpture was created as World War I was drawing to a close; it stands on a pedestal made of Slivenec marble. The sculpture’s final form took several years to develop. It was particularly challenging to achieve a convincing diagonal fall of the body, which was anchored to the ground only by the tips of the toes. The balance of the composition was ultimately achieved through a spiral-like curvature of the body, which was reflected in the movements of the arms and the tilted head. Jan Štursa first studied at the School of Sculpture and Stonework in Hořice and, beginning in 1899, attended the Prague Academy. Elements of Art Nouveau symbolism are reflected in his early work.