Otakar Španiel

Otakar Španiel (13 June 1881 – 15 February 1955) was a Czech sculptor and engraver.

After primary education, he studied at the Engraving School in Jablonec nad Nisou and graduated from the Viennese Academy of Fine Arts in 1901.

In his following years, he continued his studies at the Academy under the guidance of Josef Václav Myslbek, founder of modern Czech sculpting style.

His stay in Paris was crucial to him: while he was there he met Antoine Bourdelle, who influenced his distinctive style in his later works.

His brother, General Oldrich Španiel, left Czechoslovakia after the occupation.