Václav Rubaš, Sculpture Garden

Rubaš was born in Hodéjov, near Strakonice, some 50 kilometers east of Klatovy. After attending primary school, he became a stone mason, a vocation he followed until he retired. He married and resettled in Klatovy with his family.

There are no reports that during his active working life he made any artwork, although he did like to craft objects for daily use. However, in 1988, at the age of 79, he made a replica of the fountain found in the center of Klatovy. Then, that next year, he sculpted his first form, a bust that depicted Veles (also known as Volos), the Slavic god of earth, water, and the underworld, who was often associated with cattle and herds. He made this figure especially for his daughter, and he displayed it in the garden of the family home. With this, he began an intense period of activity that lasted for six years and resulted in the production of 27 stone statues.

Most are displayed on small pedestals, and are arranged in the garden in such a way that they greet any visitors who may enter the property. Many of them depict famous Czechs of history and myth, including Tomáš Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia (1918 – 1935), and J.A. Comenius, the Czech philosopher (1592-1670). There are also busts of nymphs, the figure of Venus, and various animals.

Rubaš was recognized for his work with an exhibition at The White Unicorn gallery in Klatovy, but unfortunately, the sculptor died just prior to the exhibit’s inauguration.

Following his death, his family has continued to live in the house and maintain the sculpture garden. It is private property and may not be visited freely; however, most of the sculptures are easily visible from the street through the garden’s wired fence.

 ~Henk van Es



K Letišti, 339 01
Latitude/Longitude: 49.407408 / 13.298878

View Larger Map in New Window