Spring into Savings! 15% Off Everything – Use Code: SPRING
Enter code SPRING in the shopping cart.
Advice Hotline +49 (0) 351 205 6447 - Mo-Fr. 10am - 5pm
  • free shipping
  • simple and safe payments
  • worldwide shipping
Otto Gutfreund

Otto Gutfreund Bronze Sculptures & Bronze Figures

Otto Gutfreund (August 3, 1889 – June 2, 1927) was a pioneering Czech sculptor whose innovative works in statues and sculptures significantly influenced the development of modern art in Czechoslovakia. He is particularly renowned for introducing Cubism into sculpture, blending avant-garde aesthetics with expressive human forms.​

More from Otto Gutfreund

Close filters
 
from to

Our advantages

 

free shipping

Worldwide free shipping

 

14 days money back

You can cancel your order
within 14 days

 

+49 (0) 351 205 6447 Hotline

Advice hotline,
Mo-Fr. 10am - 5pm

 

secure payment services

Paypal, Master Card, Visa, American Express and more

Otto Gutfreund (1889-1926)

Born in Dvůr Králové nad Labem, Bohemia, into a Jewish family, Gutfreund began his artistic journey studying pottery at the School of Creative Arts in Bechyně from 1903 to 1906. He furthered his education at the College of Decorative Arts in Prague, focusing on figurative and ornamental modeling. In 1909, he moved to Paris to study under the French sculptor Antoine Bourdelle at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, where he was exposed to the works of Auguste Rodin and medieval art. This period was crucial in shaping his artistic vision, leading him to explore Cubism and its application to sculpture.  

Artistic Career and Contributions

Cubist Innovations

Gutfreund was instrumental in adapting Cubist principles to sculpture, a field where such experimentation was relatively rare at the time. His early works, such as Anxiety (1911–1912), Hamlet II (1912), and Don Quixote (1911–1912), showcase his ability to deconstruct and reassemble forms to convey emotional depth and complexity. These pieces are considered some of the first Cubist sculptures, marking a significant departure from traditional sculptural techniques. ​

Post-War Realism and Public Works

After serving in the French Foreign Legion during World War I and experiencing internment, Gutfreund returned to Prague in 1920. His post-war works shifted towards a more realistic style, reflecting the broader "return to order" movement in European art. Notable sculptures from this period include Textile Worker (1921) and Commerce (1923), which depict everyday laborers and scenes from modern life. He also contributed to architectural projects, most prominently the reliefs on the façade of the Legiobanka building in Prague, designed by architect Josef Gočár. ​

 

Legacy and Influence

Gutfreund's innovative approach to sculpture had a lasting impact on Czech art and the broader modernist movement. His ability to merge avant-garde styles with expressive content paved the way for future explorations in abstract and figurative sculpture. Today, his works are housed in prominent institutions such as the National Gallery in Prague and the Museum Kampa, serving as enduring testaments to his artistic legacy. ​

 

Selected Works

  • Anxiety (1911–1912)
  • Hamlet II (1912)
  • Don Quixote (1911–1912)
  • Textile Worker (1921)
  • Reliefs on the Legiobanka building, Prague (1922–1923)

Otto Gutfreund's contributions to statues and sculptures remain influential, reflecting a unique blend of Cubist innovation and expressive realism that continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike.