The representative selection of sculpture drawings by Jan Štursa (1880–1925) is presented in two cycles. At the same time, the exhibition commemorates the 130th anniversary of birth of this major founder of Czech modern sculpture. For Štursa, the human figure was a primary motif, as is demonstrated by the large set of drawings chosen from among more than 600 works deposited in the National Gallery in Prague. They are directly related to Štursa’s sculpture, showing his sense of volume, fullness and vivacity. In his early work, he responded to the reverberations of Art Nouveau symbolism and sensual depictions of the female form. Later he developed cubism-influenced figural motifs and, despite his traumatizing war experience, moved toward vital civilism. At the same time, he continued with the monumental realism of his teacher J. V. Myslbek in representative portrait and monument sculpture.

Zuzana Novotná