Jakub Obrovsky (Czech, 1882-1949)

Jakub Obrovsky was a Czech painter and sculptor. He was born near Brno (Czechia) in 1882 and realised his artistic talent early on. At the age of 14, Obrovsky moved to Prague to pursue an education in Fine Art. He studied at the School of Applied Arts between 1897 and 1901. He continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Art (1901-1904) where he is taught by Max Pirner. Upon graduating from the Academy, Jakub Obrovsky becomes a member of the Society of Artists. The same year (1904) he exhibited his first oil painting Loučeni (The Parting) at Rudolfinum in Prague.

It is clear from Jakub Obrovsky's early work that his recurrent tenet will be admiration for the beauty of women. The painter could masterfully capture the subtle nuances of expression, from dreamy gazes to erotic desire.

In 1932 Obrovsky wins a bronze medal at the Olympic Games exhibition in Los Angeles, awarded for his important bronze sculpture Javelin Thrower (Murderous Odysseus). In 1936 the same bronze wins him the Katz Prize of the Czech Academy of Arts and Sciences.

During his life he held many exhibitions in Prague and Brno, having gained success and popularity Obrovsky also exhibited in Dresden, Vienna, Munich, and Berlin.