‘The Motorcyclist’, 1928

Břetislav Benda (Czech, 1897-1983)

An extremely evocative and dynamic patinated bronze of motorcycle and rider by the Czech sculptor Břetislav Benda, the rider, cycle and deep inclined geometric sôcle are constructed as a single cast, and depict speed and determination.

Signed B. BENDA to the sôcle and numbered.

Length: 17 inches (43 cm)

Benda was a respected and celebrated Czech sculptor and student of the Academy of Fine Arts under Josef Václav Myslbek. Known for a number of figurative public works, Benda primarily worked in bronze and marble and in the 1920s was strongly influenced by Otto Gutfruend. His architectural sculpture includes the interior of the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, the Komerční banka in Náchod (in collaboration with architect Pavel Janák) and created a relief for another bank in České Budějovice.

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