How the Idea for the Sculpture and the First "Optimist Johnny" Was Born in 2022
"The figure was created quite by chance. Originally, the sculpture was intended to depict a walking man inspired by the masterful work of Alberto Giacometti. However, the figure appeared too melancholic to the artist, Zdeněk Legner — with its head bowed, it lacked inner energy, and he was simply not satisfied with it.
But when he walked around the table and looked at the sculpture from behind, he noticed something remarkable: from this angle, the piece appeared completely different. A joyful, light-footed young man, enjoying the world. And in that moment, Johnny was born. As a symbol of today's modern era, Johnny carries his own "QR code" on his back."
In 2026, a monumental version of Optimist Johnny, measuring 210 cm, was created for the exhibition ELEGANCE, this time complemented by a polished stainless steel rod.
The photographs present Optimist Johnny in a height of 68 cm with a bronze application, as the monumental version had not yet been completed at the time this catalogue entry was prepared.
The work can be reserved immediately; however, collection is possible only after the end of the ELEGANCE exhibition at the New Town Hall.
Terms of sale: here
Additional information
| Artist: | Legner Zdeněk |
| category: | sculptures |
| price (EUR): | 8.000-17.400 |
| material: | metal |
| height (cm): | 200-250 |