Miroslav Kraljević

This group of Croatian artists were later called the Munich Circle, known for their influence on modern art in Croatia. After Munich, Kraljević spent time in the family home at Požega, and then in Paris where he produced his best work. He died in Zagreb in April 1913, aged 27, from tuberculosis. Kraljević painted in many different styles, including Impressionism, Pointillism and Expressionism. He also became known for his drawings of grotesque or erotic characters, in a similar way to Aubrey Beardsley, and for his sculptures. Miroslav Kraljević was working in a variety of media, he used almost every painting and drawing technique in his portraits, figures, still lifes, animals and landscapes. His graphics used etching and woodcut, and sculptures were created in clay, plaster and bronze.

• Name — Miroslav Kraljević • Born — 14 December 1885 • Birthplace — Gospić, Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia, Austria-Hungary • Died — 16 April 1913 • Place of death — Zagreb, Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia, Austria-Hungary • Field — Painting, sculpture • Training — Vienna, Munich, under Hugo von Habermann • Movement — Modern • Works — Paintings (oils and watercolours), drawings, prints, sculpture

• Illustration — Bonvivant, 1912, oil on canvas, Modern Gallery in Zagreb. Miroslav Kraljević was born on 14 December 1885 in Gospić, in the area of Lika. He belonged to Kraljevic aristocratic family that got its nobility in 1694 by Leopold I. His early childhood up to 7th grade high school (1888 to 1902) was spent in Zagreb, though he completed high school in Gospić (1902–1904). He loved poetry and music, and he was often seen drawing. In 1904, the young Kraljević left for Vienna. There, in addition to studying law, he took painting lessons privately with George Fischhof. After two years he gave up the study of law and devoted himself to painting. In the autumn of 1906 Kraljević moved to Munich, where he spent two terms at the private school of Moritz Heymann, known for training excellent printermakers. After seven months in Munich, he enrolled in the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts and became a student of Hugo von Habermann. During his time there (1907–1910) he studied with fellow Croatian painters Josip Račić, Oskar Herman and Vladimir Becić. At that time Munich was an important center of the European art scene, particularly for Realism, Post-Impressionism, Symbolism and Jugendstil. Upon completion of his studies in Munich, Kraljević returned to his family, who had by then moved to Požega, and where he spent 1910 and a good part of 1911. During this time, he painted Self-portrait with Dog (Croatian: Autoportret sa psom), and many of his other well-known portraits, landscapes and other works with rustic themes. He also returned to his interest in sculpture, producing works in clay, plaster and bronze. In 1911, Kraljević received a state grant to study in Paris. He formally enrolled in the Academy La Grande Chaumiére, but instead began to paint intensively at the studios of friends. Here Kraljević's creative talent came to the fore, and despite the advancing effects of tuberculosis, he produced some of his best work, a range of motifs of Parisian life in drawings and oils. After a year, he left Paris and returned home to Požega. In the autumn of 1912 Kraljević went to Zagreb, where he organized his first solo exhibition, which had a retrospective character. He rented a studio, where he continued to paint until December 1913. Then he went to a sanatorium in Berstovca for treatment. After two months, he left the hospital to return to Zagreb, where he died two days later on 16 April 1913 of tuberculosis. He was only 27 years old. He is buried in the family grave in Požega.

• Autoportret sa psom (Self-portrait with Dog) 1910. oil on canvas • Krave na paši (Cows at Pasture) 1910–11. oil on canvas • Bik (Bull) 1910–11. oil on canvas • U staji (In the Stables) 1910–11. oil on canvas • Autoportret s lulom (Self-portrait with a pipe) 1911–12. oil on canvas • Mali autoportret s paletom (Small self-portrait with a palette) 1911–12. oil on canvas • Bonvivant 1912. oil on canvas • Girl with a doll • Park Luxembourg • Women in the Park • Great Park • Female nude

• 1912 Gallery Ulrich, Zagreb - Miroslav Kraljević Solo Exhibit • 1999 Gallery of Fine Arts, Osijek - Miroslav Kraljević Solo Show: prints and graphics from the Museum of Arts and Crafts, Zagreb • 2004 Adris Gallery, Rovinj - Miroslav Kraljević Exhibit • 2013–2014 Modern Gallery, Zagreb - largest retrospective exhibition of Kraljević's work to date, with nearly 200 works

• 1914 International Printmaking Exhibition in Zagreb. An international print exhibition was held at which 160 artists took part, showing 870 works. Miroslav Kraljević was one of 14 Croatian artists exhibiting their work which included prints, drawings, pastels and watercolours. • 1942 Venice Bienniale - Miroslav Kraljević was one of the Croatian artists' work on display in the Croatian exhibit that year. • 1973 Art Pavilion Zagreb - Paintings of the Munich Circle • 2007 Museum of Modern Art, Dubrovnik - From the Permanent Collection

• Illustration — Madonna • Illustration — After • Illustration — Golgotha • Illustration — Ripe Fruit • Illustration — The Three Graces