František Rous came from an old family of woodcarvers in Žamberk. He studied in Germany, Paris, London, Budapest, and Vienna. He returned to Prague in 1896 and made his debut with a design for an equestrian statue of Saint Wenceslas. His design won third prize. Rous enjoyed working with animal motifs. Sculptures on this theme were primarily cast for him by the Prague art firm of Franta Anýž, which worked for our leading sculptors. One of his larger hunting-themed sculptures, titled “Halali,” can be viewed in the courtyard of Slatiňany Castle. Small works are found in private collections: a stag, a roebuck with a doe, hares, and others. Both sculptures are marked “F. Rous” on the bottom. Dimensions: Hares: height (with base) 20 cm, base 14 x 11 cm; Fox: height (with base) 18 cm, base 14 x 12 cm.