Josef Václav Myslbek, Crucifix

This work by a prominent Czech sculptor depicts the crucified Christ, a traditional symbol of Christianity. It is an example of a seemingly timeless and unique artistic achievement which, however, has evoked diverse reactions at different times and in different contexts. Its author, Josef Václav Myslbek (1848–1922), belonged to the so-called National Theatre generation and is considered the founder of modern Czech sculpture. His sculptural monuments in particular shaped the character of Czech public space at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. From 1896 to 1919, Myslbek was the first head of the sculpture studio at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague (AVU).