Štursa was born in 1880 in Nové Město na Moravě. He studied masonry and sculpture in Hořice and worked as a stonecutter. Later, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague under professor Josef Myslbek, a known sculptor. Štursa was famed for his impressive, pensive sculpture work, some of which were dedicated to the victims of WWI. As an initial member of the Association of Moravian Artists (SVUM), Štursa is a great example of turn of the century art and interpretation in the region. Soon after the founding of SVUM, Štursa departed the organization. He is considered to be one of the founders of modern Czech sculpture.