Page:Bohemia; a brief evaluation of Bohemia's contribution to civilization (1917).pdf/53

 liberty, democracy and pure Christianity. The monument of Hus is cast in bronze, and stands in the old town square of Prague, that historic spot which was the witness to the glory and the downfall of our nation. Here stands the great reformer in all his majesty, like a rugged peasant, severe to himself and others, yearning after a true Christian life, simple and deeply in earnest as the people and the country that gave him birth. The statue is the work of a great artist and a true Bohemian. In it the artist embodied for his nation the ideal of true Bohemianism and erected a monument not only of great beauty but of everlasting glory.

During the present war another beloved Bohemian artist died at Prague, Stanislav Sucharda, a son of northeastern Bohemia. His most beautiful work is the magnificent monument of the “Father of the Nation” the Bohemian historian, František Palacký. It is hewn out of granite to symbolize the granite character of the man and the enduring work of the historian. The historical groups cast in bronze, represent in a figurative way, certain events of Bohemian history. Nearly the whole life of the artist was spent in study for this work. The result is most assuredly worth the labor and the thought of a lifetime.

From Myslbek’s school there came a line of younger artists. These invariably went to Paris to complete their artistic development in the school of the great master Rodin; Constantin Meunier, the celebrated sculptor also exerted an influence on the younger Bohemian scupltors. Of these, those who grew up to be really strong artists were Jan Štursa, the deep, realistic Bohumil Kafka, the excellent pupil of Rodin, Josef Mařatka, the creator of fine plaques, Otokar Španiel, Ladislav Kofránek and ''Jos. Šejnost''. Franta Úprka, brother of the painter, Jóža Úprka, presents to us his dear Slovaks in bronze, gypsum and other media.

''Frant. Bílek'' is an artist of unusual individuality, a type entirely by himself. He also is a son of southern Bohemia, the cradle of Hussite enthusiasm and of the faith of Bohemian Brethren. The spirit of these deep, re-