Ilija Kolarić (circa. 1960s) In Space I. From The Series ‘Man and Space’. [oil on canvas] 68cm x 151cm

(circa. 1960s) In Space I. From The Series ‘Man and Space’. 

Ilija Kolarić

[oil on canvas] 68cm x 151cm

£8600.

Kolarić was a distinguished painter who was born in Novi Sad in 1926 and died there in 2004, whose extensive career left an indelible mark on the world of modern Balkan art. Known for his profound connection to the Vojvodina plains and his unique ability to capture the essence of light and atmosphere with romantic realism.

He began his artistic journey at a Military Technical Institute before honing his skills whilst working in the studios of Petar Lubarda, Milo Milunović, Đorđe Ilijić, and Anton Huiter. A pilot in the Yugoslavian Air Forces, Kolarić's early experiences and diverse interests influenced his artistic development. This eclectic background contributed to the depth and variety seen in his work. Kolarić became an eminent artist, holding numerous exhibitions throughout Yugoslavia and internationally in major cities including Moscow, Paris, Vienna, Brussels, Warsaw, Munich, and Philadelphia over five decades.

Kolarić's paintings are characterised by a realist approach, with a distinct emphasis on light and colour. His style is marked by the technique of sfumato, often drawing comparisons to Flemish masters. His works predominantly feature pastoral motifs, reflecting his deep inspiration from the flat melancholic plains of Vojvodina. Kolarić spent over 50 years of his life married to his wife, Ljubica, who outlived him. He left a personal legacy in the town of Mošorin, in the form of a devoted Kolarić Museum space and his works are included in The National Museum of Serbia. His dedication to capturing the beauty of his surroundings earned him a revered place among the most sought-after painters of the 1970s.