Description

An important presentation limestone model of King George of Bohemia, bearing the crown of St Wenceslas and wearing court clothes, holding the unity treaty charter in his right hand, his left hand resting on his sword, his jewel hemmed cloak over a finely detailed, embroidered tunic. Possibly a version of the marble commission from Count Wallenstein (Valdsteyns) and mentioned in Zlata Praha, the art journal, in the obituary of Ludvik Simek,1886.

Simek initially trained under Emanuel Max (1810 – 1901) , the leading Historical sculptor in Prague in the middle of the 19th century. Winning the Prix de Rome in 1864, he studied there for six years before returning to Prague. His most notable figure sculptures in Prague can be seen on the Charles Bridge, the Wallenstein Palace, National Gallery Prague, as well as the Jungmann monument and in Vienna he supplied two of the remarkable roof statues on the Kunsthistorisches Museum as well as four figures in the Arsenal.

Ludvik Simek, Isidor of Miletus, Kunsthistorisches Museum

Simek’s friendship with leading Czech architects such as Antonin Barvitius led to numerous commissions for monumental works as part of the rebuilding of Prague in Historical Revival style, and can be seen extensively in St Vitus Cathedral and the church of St Wenceslas.

The choice of King George of Bohemia as a subject was particularly appropriate at a moment of rising interest in Czech nationalism. Many of Simek’s historical figures were drawn from Generals and Commanders during the 30 Years War in the early 17th century, fighting the oppression of Protestantism. King George Poderbrady, however, belonged to an earlier but equally troubled period during the 15th century.

European  Union

Although much of his early reign was given to protecting Hussite (Protestant) Bohemian lands against the powers of Rome and Pope Pius II, he is now largely remembered for his attempt to unify European nations and Princely states into a union against the threat of Turkish empire building from the East. In 1464, he proposed a Treaty for the Establishment of Peace and a Common Parliament where member states had equal influence. The first European Union? Unfortunately, his plan failed.