A method for producing, without a mold, a shaped glass article having a predefined geometry is provided. The method includes providing a starting glass, supporting the starting glass, heating a portion of the starting glass so that in the portion a predetermined spatial viscosity distribution of the starting glass is obtained from 109 to 104 dPa·s and so that at points where the starting glass is supported a predetermined spatial viscosity distribution of the starting glass does not fall below 1013 dPa·s, and deforming the heated starting glass by action of an external force until the predefined geometry of the glass article is obtained.