b. 1879 d. 1965
Site Affiliation: Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens
Albin Polasek, a celebrated 20th-century Czech-American sculptor, found his retirement haven in Winter Park, Florida. Born in Frenstat, Moravia, Polasek’s artistic path led him from wood carving in Vienna to becoming a renowned figure sculptor in the United States. His journey continued with formal sculpture training at The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, culminating in his winning the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1910.
In 1916, Polasek became the head of the Sculpture Department at the Art Institute of Chicago. His 30 years there were marked by his election as an associate member of the National Academy of Design. After relocating to Winter Park in 1950, a stroke left him paralyzed on his left side, but it didn’t deter his artistic spirit. Notably, he created the monumental Man Carving His Own Destiny from limestone, symbolizing his journey as an immigrant who seized every opportunity offered by America.
Primary Medium: Sculpture, Painting
Primary Stylistic Term: Classical, Realism, Romanticism, Expressionism
HAHS Affiliations: Polasek gave one his sculptural works to Daniel Chester French, and it remains in the Chesterwood collection.
Fun Fact: The earliest work in the Albin Polasek Museum collection is Nativity, which Polasek carved when he was just 15 years old. He used his family cow and villagers from his hometown in Frenstat, Moravia as models for the figures. He also used natural dyes, such as berries and rust, as paints.
Recommended Publications: Carving His Own Destiny; the Story of Albin Polásek by Ruth Sherwood (1954); Albin Polasek: Man Carving His Own Destiny by Emily Polasek (1970)