21. Dubrovnik [1948.]

Milan Konjović carried the modernist spirit of expression into the second half of the 20th century. He was born in 1898 in Sombor, briefly studied painting in Prague (under Vlaho Bukovac), and then perfected his skills independently while traveling Europe. After Prague, he lived and painted in Munich, Berlin and Dresden, and then in Paris. He returned to Sombor in 1932, where he died in 1993. All experiences of European modernism are evident in his opus, which is characterized by free forms, impasto and fast stroke, intense, but often dark color. After the Second World War, his interpretations of Dubrovnik were frequent. The Mediterranean experience of a Panonia-raised man who matured in the spirit of Central European expressionism is both interesting and specific. In a summery view, we recognize Dubrovnik - its walls and domed towers. A nervous expression also achieves a sense of light - shadows are emphasized by darker lines, the horizon is dominated by Lokrum in the shade. The line of the setting sun, along the top edge of the picture, counterbalances the overall muted color, which is illuminated only by an accent around the middle of the composition - the reflex of the sun on the facade of the palace (perhaps Sponza). Konjović does not showcase the topography of Dubrovnik, but the city is recognizable. His Central European expression gave another, very specific vision of this city, many times interpreted in painting (from Titian among the Dubrovnik Dominicans, to 20th century Dubrovnik colorists). FG

Dimensions

width 70 cm, height 50 cm

Description

oil on plywood, signed and dated bottom left, in green, "(19)48 Konjović"

Research information

The work is reproduced and inventoried in the monograph "Milan Konjović", Irma Lang, Sombor, Cicero, Belgrade, 2010. The work is accompanied by an expertise of Nikola Kusovac, art historian, Belgrade, 2000. We thank the Milan Konjović Gallery in Sombor for their assistance in researching the work.

Dating

1948.

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