Branislav Dešković
Encyclopedia
Branislav Dešković was a Croatian sculptor, best known for his expressive animal sculptures, especially his hunting dogs. He is considered the first Impressionist sculptor in Croatia.
on the island of Brač
, on 11 March 1883. He trained in Venice, Vienna and Paris, where he regularly exhibited at the Salon
. A contemporary review of the first Dalmatian Art Exhibition of 1908 in The Studio (magazine) said "Branislav Deskovic's mastership in animal sculpture was proved by his works The Draught Horse, The Ass, and The Dog. Two Old Ones is the best of all his compositions, and has been exhibited in the "Salon" of Paris, where it gained much approbation."
In the summer of 1910, Dešković spent time in Sarajevo. There he was attracted by the Bosnian figures, and later showed a number of outstanding sculptures for example Two Elders, and Bust of a Turk. He was an avid hunter, and this was reflected in his artistic work. He is best known for his animal sculptures, particularly hunting dogs. During a stay in Sarajevo in 1910, he was inspired by Bosnian figures, which showed in several of his sculptures.
He exhibited with the Medulić group in 1908 in Split, 1909 in Ljubljana, and 1910 in Zagreb. He held his first solo exhibit in 1910 in Sarajevo.
During the First World War, he volunteered in Montenegro, and later in Rome, Geneva and Paris. From 1921 he lived in Split.
The art gallery in Bol, on Brač, the Galerija umjetnina "Branislav Dešković is named after him, and much of his work is on display there.
He died in Zagreb
on 20 August 1939.
Dešković is best known for his animal sculpture
s. A keen hunter in his youth, he portrayed hounds from his memory of working with the animals, in an expressive impressionist style. He also produced some fine portraits and a few large, heroic sculptures. Carried along by the motto of the Zagreb exhibition "Despite Unheroic Times", Dešković created the monumental sculptures Prince Marko (Kraljević Marko), and Victory of Freedom (Pobjeda slobode), which were unusual expressions of his political views. Unfortunately his career was cut short by illness, and his collection of works is not extensive.
HRT, Croatian Radio/Television featured Branislav
Dešković in the program segment than can be seen here (in Croatian): HRT Video:Kipar Branislav Dešković
Croatia
USA
Biography
Branislav Dešković was born in PučišćaPucišca
Pučišća is a municipality in Croatia on the island of Brač in the Split-Dalmatia county. It has a population of 2,224 , 99% which are Croats. The municipality consists of three settlements: Gornji Humac, Pražnica and Pučišća....
on the island of Brač
Brac
Brač is an island in the Adriatic Sea within Croatia, with an area of 396 km², making it the largest island in Dalmatia, and the third largest in the Adriatic. Its tallest peak, Vidova Gora, or Mount St. Vid, stands at 778 m, making it the highest island point in the Adriatic...
, on 11 March 1883. He trained in Venice, Vienna and Paris, where he regularly exhibited at the Salon
Paris Salon
The Salon , or rarely Paris Salon , beginning in 1725 was the official art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France. Between 1748–1890 it was the greatest annual or biannual art event in the Western world...
. A contemporary review of the first Dalmatian Art Exhibition of 1908 in The Studio (magazine) said "Branislav Deskovic's mastership in animal sculpture was proved by his works The Draught Horse, The Ass, and The Dog. Two Old Ones is the best of all his compositions, and has been exhibited in the "Salon" of Paris, where it gained much approbation."
In the summer of 1910, Dešković spent time in Sarajevo. There he was attracted by the Bosnian figures, and later showed a number of outstanding sculptures for example Two Elders, and Bust of a Turk. He was an avid hunter, and this was reflected in his artistic work. He is best known for his animal sculptures, particularly hunting dogs. During a stay in Sarajevo in 1910, he was inspired by Bosnian figures, which showed in several of his sculptures.
He exhibited with the Medulić group in 1908 in Split, 1909 in Ljubljana, and 1910 in Zagreb. He held his first solo exhibit in 1910 in Sarajevo.
During the First World War, he volunteered in Montenegro, and later in Rome, Geneva and Paris. From 1921 he lived in Split.
The art gallery in Bol, on Brač, the Galerija umjetnina "Branislav Dešković is named after him, and much of his work is on display there.
He died in Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
on 20 August 1939.
Legacy
Although Pučišča and Brač have a long history of stone-working, Dešković chose bronze as his medium. He worked in stone, clay and bronze, and is considered the first Impressionist Croatian sculptor.Dešković is best known for his animal sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
s. A keen hunter in his youth, he portrayed hounds from his memory of working with the animals, in an expressive impressionist style. He also produced some fine portraits and a few large, heroic sculptures. Carried along by the motto of the Zagreb exhibition "Despite Unheroic Times", Dešković created the monumental sculptures Prince Marko (Kraljević Marko), and Victory of Freedom (Pobjeda slobode), which were unusual expressions of his political views. Unfortunately his career was cut short by illness, and his collection of works is not extensive.
HRT, Croatian Radio/Television featured Branislav
Dešković in the program segment than can be seen here (in Croatian): HRT Video:Kipar Branislav Dešković
Works
Examples of his work can be seen online at Galerija Remek-Djela- Two Old Men/Two Elders (Dva starca)
- Draught Horse (Tegleći konj)
- Rest (Odmor)
- Scratching Dog (Pas koji se češe)
- Bust of a Turk (Poprsje Turčina)
- Prince Marko (Kraljević Marko)
- Victory of Freedom (Pobjeda slobode)
Solo Exhibitions
Recent exhibitions of his work include:- 2011 Galerija Antun Augustinčić, KlanjecKlanjecKlanjec is a small town in northwestern Croatia, in the region of Hrvatsko Zagorje on the border with Slovenia. The population of Klanjec is 565, but there are 2,915 people in the municipality...
- 1983 Gallery of Fine Arts, SplitGallery of Fine Arts, SplitThe Gallery of Fine Arts , is an art museum in Split, Croatia containing works from 14th century up to the present day providing an overview of the artistic developments in the local art scene...
- 1966 Gallery of Fine Arts, SplitGallery of Fine Arts, SplitThe Gallery of Fine Arts , is an art museum in Split, Croatia containing works from 14th century up to the present day providing an overview of the artistic developments in the local art scene...
Public Collections
His work can be found in the following public collectionsCroatia
- Gliptoteka, Croatian Academy of Sciences and ArtsCroatian Academy of Sciences and ArtsThe Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts is the national academy of Croatia. It was founded in 1866 as the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts , and was known by that name for most of its existence.- History :...
, Zagreb - Gallery of Fine Arts, SplitGallery of Fine Arts, SplitThe Gallery of Fine Arts , is an art museum in Split, Croatia containing works from 14th century up to the present day providing an overview of the artistic developments in the local art scene...
- Art Gallery Branislav Dešković (Galerija umjetnina Branislav Dešković), BolBolBoľ is a village and municipality in the Trebišov District in the Košice Region of eastern Slovakia....
, island of Brač, Croatia
USA
- Smithsonian American Art MuseumSmithsonian American Art MuseumThe Smithsonian American Art Museum is a museum in Washington, D.C. with an extensive collection of American art.Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum has a broad variety of American art that covers all regions and art movements found in the United States...
, Washington, DC