Jaroslav Kovář (* February 1, 1936 in Brno, Czechoslovakia; † April 19, 2001 in Freiburg im Breisgau) was a Czech painter and etcher. Kovář was born the son of a graphic artist and painter. He grew up in an artistic environment. After the Heydrich era, the family moved to Prague in 1943, where he attended school. At the age of fourteen, Kovář created his first graphic works. Kovář wanted to become a graphic artist after school, but was not given a place to study by the relevant authorities and was given the choice of becoming either a miner or a pavement worker.
The Prague School of Arts and Crafts opened an additional department for sculpture in 1951. As the entrance examination here took place later than in other admission procedures, Kovář applied, passed the entrance examination and was admitted to study at the School of Arts and Crafts in Prague. It was here that he met his future wife Mirka. After a year, Kovář switched to the graphics department.
Jaroslav Kovář, "Hommage à L. Cepelak", Etching : 6-7, 1993, 53 x 78 cm
