Ivan Generalic (Croatian, 1914-1992). . The Deer . 1978. Oil on glass. Signed and dated lower left I. Gen....

Description

Ivan Generalic (Croatian, 1914-1992)

The Deer
1978
Oil on glass
Signed and dated lower left I. Gen.1978
18-3/4 x 22 inches (47.6 x 55.9 cm)

Ivan Generalic was the central figure in the Hlebine School, named for the area in north Croatia that spawned an important genre of folk art led by Generalic. A native of Hlebine, Generalic developed his artistic talent at an early age and was tutored by Krsto Hegedusic, the premier artist and art professor of the region who taught Generalic the art of mastering the use of color in depicting the scenes of everyday life in the region. This led to Generalic's first exhibition at Zagreb in 1931 and then on to Paris where he lived for a short time before returning to his homeland.

But in what may be Generalic's legacy, he popularized the age-old tradition and beauty of painting on glass as seen here in The Deer. While after World War II Generalic was known for his social criticism in the subjects of his work within the group known as Zemlja or 'Earth Group', here he demonstrates the youthful folk art, full of color and simplicity for which he became famous. He masters the issues of perspective in the deer in the foreground, clearly the focus of this work, the horse at the center space and the buildings in the background all the while using vibrant color and contrast that can only be achieved in painting on glass, creating a mirror-like image in an unforgiving medium. The Deer is framed in a gilt, one-inch beveled frame covered in glass and is in excellent condition.

Provenance:
Galerie Alpha, Brussels, Belgium (1979)

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