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Josef Wagner started training under Quido Kocián in Hořovice before moving on to the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, where he studied under Professor Jan Štursa and, following Štursa's death, Otakar Španiel. Wagner's close encounters with the Baroque sculptures of Matthias Bernard Braun in Kuks and his later restoration of Braun's sculptures on the Marian Column in Jaroměř had a definite impact on shaping Wagner's artistic sensibility. Understandably, foreign modern sculpture had a certain influence on him as well. In 1923 an exhibition of French modern art was held at the Mánes, where the young Wagner first saw the work of Antoine Bourdelle. Trips to Italy and France opened new horizons for the talented artist. After returning from Paris in 1926, Wagner applied to the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design to study architectural sculpture under Otto Gutfreund. Today one can encounter several of Wagner's works in Prague: the memorial to Jaroslav Vrchlický on Petřín Hill, the Antonín Dvořák memorial by the Rudolfinum, and the Charles IV statue in front of the Chancellor's office of Charles University. This wooden sculpture dates from the artist's late period, which is typified by intimate themes that are often also depicted in drawings. Obtained from the important collection of architect and painter Josef Wagner. Published in: Jan M. Tomeš: Sochař Josef Wagner, Odeon, Prague 1985, p. 104, fig. 69. Blackened oak, iron footrest.