Antonín Popp (30 July 1850, Prague - 10 June 1915, Prague) was a Czech sculptor, medallist and teacher.
Life and work
He was the second of five sons born to the sculptor and porcelain modeller, Ernst Popp [de], originally from Coburg, and his Czech wife Aloisie, née Bartoníčková. His older brother, Karel, became a photographer. His works are sometimes confused with his father's, as they worked together on several projects, and both signed their names as "AP" (Ernst is "Arnošt" in Czech).
After graduating from the local Realschule, he learned his trade in his father's workshop, while attending classes at the industrial school of the Jednota ku povzbuzení průmyslu v Čechách [cs] (Union for Encouraging Industry in Bohemia). In 1870, he began to study drawing at the Prague Academy of Fine Arts, but never completed the full course. Later, he made study trips to Munich and Vienna.
Upon returning to Prague, in 1873, he opened his own studio. He is best known for his monumental, decorative sculptures of historical and allegorical figures, most of which are on public buildings in Prague; including the Česká spořitelna (savings bank) and the original building of the Stock Exchange, which is now part of the New National Museum [cs]. He also created busts for the hallway of the National Theatre and the Pantheon of the National Museum.
