20th Century Bronze Plaque Portrait of František Škroup by Antonín Popp, Paris, 1912

Bronze sculpture, bas-relief plaque depicting the portrait of František Škroup (1801-1862), a famous Czech composer, signed upper right with the place of production "PARIS" and the date "1912," applied to a black wooden plate. This sculpture is attributed to Antonín Popp (1850-1915), a famous Czech sculptor. Excellent sculptural quality and a beautiful antique patina on the bas-relief.

Useful information for appraising this item:
Online research found a bronze bust dated 1901 depicting the same subject, František Škroup, exhibited at the National Museum in Prague and created by Antonín Popp, which is the reason for our attribution. Our plaque is from the same period as the bust, and although it is unsigned, it was most likely created by the same artist, as he was a composer known only in Cakoslovakia and certainly not of world renown.

Information on the artist and/or manufacturer:
Antonín Popp (Prague, July 30, 1850 - Prague, June 10, 1915) was a Czech sculptor, medallist, and teacher. He was the second of five children of the sculptor and porcelain modeler Ernst Popp, originally from Coburg, and his Czech wife Aloisie, née Bartoníčková. His works are sometimes confused with those of his father, as they worked together on several projects and both signed themselves "AP" (Ernst is "Arnošt" in Czech). After graduating from the local Realschule, he learned his trade in his father's workshop, while simultaneously attending classes at the industrial school of the Union for the Encouragement of Industry in Bohemia. In 1870, he began studying drawing at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, but never completed the full course. He later took study trips to Munich and Vienna. Upon his return to Prague in 1873, he opened his own studio. He is best known for his monumental and decorative sculptures of historical and allegorical figures, most of which are found on public buildings in Prague, including the Česká spořitelna (Savings Bank) and the original Stock Exchange building, which is now part of the New National Museum. He also created busts for the corridor of the National Theatre and the Pantheon of the National Museum. Outside Prague, his works can be seen in Domažlice, Pardubice, and Kladno. In addition to his work as a sculptor, he taught modeling at the Prague Polytechnic (now the Czech Technical University in Prague), where he became an associate professor in 1896. He also taught at the Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design (UMPRUM). He is buried in the Vinohrady Cemetery. A collection of his plaster models is kept at the National Museum.