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Statue of Jaroslav Hašek

The Statue of Jaroslav Hašek is an outdoor monument and equestrian statue by Karel Nepraš and Karolína Neprašová. It was installed in 2005 at Prokopovo náměstí in Prague’s Žižkov district, Czech Republic. The sculpture was completed by Karolína Neprašová after the death of her father, Karel Nepraš. It stands in an area where Hašek lived while writing his famous novel The Good Soldier Švejk.

Bronze sculpture of Jaroslav Hašek with a fragmented horse on a multi-tiered stone pedestal in a paved square.
The statue of Jaroslav Hašek stands on Prokop\'s Square, with a fragmented horse and surrounding city buildings in the background.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Statue of Jaroslav Hašek with a bronze-toned horse sculpture on a tall stone pedestal and a bust on a separate pedestal behind it.
The Statue of Jaroslav Hašek features a stylized horse sculpture on a stone pedestal, with a bust set just behind it.
July 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dark metallic statue of Jaroslav Hašek with a horse head in the foreground and a bust on a stone pedestal against a blue sky.
The Statue of Jaroslav Hašek shown from a low angle, with a horse head in the foreground and the bust behind it.
June 2017 © · CC BY 4.0
Close-up of the Statue of Jaroslav Hašek showing a metal horse head sculpture with a man’s bust behind it.
The Statue of Jaroslav Hašek features a metal horse head in the foreground and a bust of the writer behind it.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Close-up of the stone base of the Jaroslav Hašek monument with carved lettering.
The stone base of the Jaroslav Hašek monument, showing carved inscription on the front.
July 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleStatue of Jaroslav Hašek
TypeOutdoor monument

Physical characteristics

FormEquestrian statue
DescriptionBust on a high pedestal with a bronze bar counter cut halfway through the pedestal and continued into a horse's torso
HeightJust under 4 meters

Iconography and meaning

Depicted personJaroslav Hašek
Horse motif interpretationHašek did not ride a horse; according to the author, all important monuments are horse riders on horses

Historical context

ContextLocated in an area where Jaroslav Hašek lived while writing The Good Soldier Švejk

Creator

ArtistsKarel Nepraš and Karolína Neprašová
DesignerKarel Nepraš
Designer’s positionProfessor at the Prague Academy of Fine Arts

Discovery and provenance

Building authority decisionIn December 2002, the Prague 3 Building Department issued zoning conditions, a building permit, and monument location approval
Architectural documentationPrepared by Pavel Kupka's architectural studio for the ground and construction proceedings
District resolutionsResolution no. 117 on 21 April 1999 and resolution no. 549 on 5 September 2001 expressed support for the project
District supportPrague 3 supported the project and delegated its representatives to the association
Association founded2000, an association for the construction of the monument
Initiative start year1998

History and restoration

Designer's deathKarel Nepraš died in 2002 before the unveiling
Completion after designer’s deathThe finishing work was completed by his daughter Karolína Neprašová
Karolína Neprašová’s contributionShe completed the writer's head
Installation date2005
Unveiling year2005

Technique

Sound featureOriginally intended to emit sound signals
Additional installationOriginally planned to include an installation enabling beer to be poured during folk festivals

Materials

MaterialBronze

Location and ownership

LocationProkopovo náměstí, Žižkov district, Prague, Czech Republic