Lot 130

Břetislav Benda (1897 - 1983) ANDROMEDA

"I know of no motive more precious than the human body, and especially the female body." These words of the eminent Czech sculptor Břetislav Benda capture the central theme and tone of his artistic expression, which completes the neo-classical current in 20th century Czech sculpture. "Jiří Kotalík writes, "Andromeda (1941), deliberately historicizing in theme, composition, and resulting form, claims to be inspired by the family-Sturz inspiration; the ancient myth of Perseus suggests a belief in liberation from the shackles of occupation." Břetislav Benda has accentuated this motif by delicately crafting it in clear, luminous Carrara marble. The author of the sculpture graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague and was a pupil of J. V. Myslbek and Jan Stursa. During his lifetime, he created an extensive body of work of more than one hundred life-size and larger-than-life sculptures, and the main theme Benda focused on was the female figure, especially in the form of the nude. The work Andromeda comes from the artist's estate and is accompanied by a certificate of provenance signed by the artist's grandchildren.

Published:

Kotalík J.: Břetislav Benda, Prague, 1982.