The sculpture Rusalka is inspired by the fairy from the fairy tales of the writer Karel Jaromír Erben and especially one of the most famous operas by Antonín Dvořák.

A rusalka is a water sprite (feminine entity) from Slavic mythology, usually inhabiting a lake or river. Rusalka is an opera (‘lyric fairy tale’) by Antonín Dvořák. The Czech libretto was written by the poet Jaroslav Kvapil based on the fairy tales of Karel Jaromír Erben and Božena Němcová.

The Little Mermaid – the statue belongs to a series of several statues of nymphs and fairies, or subjects from fairy tales, to which I began to turn more after the death of my father. A fairy tale is like a story with the promise of a happy ending, but it is the legend of the mermaid that brings a completely different ending. The composition of the sculpture can be unsettling, it is balanced and stands on tiny three points. The elements of hyperrealism and expression add to expectations, amazement, but also sobering up and a sense of irreversible destiny.
Thanks to a private investor, this bronze version with a stone plinth made of granite was created. The eyes are made of stainless steel in the form of inlay.

Photos: author’s archive and Kristýna Štuková

The Little Mermaid – the statue belongs to the series of several statues of nymphs and fairies, or the subject of a fairy tale, that I found after my father died. A fairy tale is like a story with the promise of a happy ending, however, it is the legend of the mermaid that brings a very different ending. The composition of the sculpture can create some unease, it is balanced and stands on a tiny three points. Elements of hyperrealism and expression then illustrate anticipation, wonder, but also sobering and a sense of irreversible fate.
Thanks to a private investor, a bronze version was created also.