Miroslav Kraljević

Miroslav Kraljević
Self-portrait with Dog by Miroslav Kraljević (1910), Oil on canvas. 110×85.5 cm, Modern Gallery, Zagreb
Born	(1885-12-14)14 December 1885 Gospić, Lika, Croatia
Died	16 April 1913(1913-04-16) (aged 27) Zagreb, Croatia
Nationality	Croatian
Education	Vienna, Munich, under Hugo von Habermann
Known for	Painting, sculpture
Notable work	paintings (oils and watercolours), drawings, prints, sculpture
Movement	Modern

Miroslav Kraljević (1885–1913) was a Croatian painter, printmaker and sculptor, active in the early part of the 20th century. He is one of the founders of modern art in Croatia.

Kraljević studied painting in Vienna and Munich at the prestigious Academy of Arts along with Oskar Herman, Vladimir Becić and Josip Račić. 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.

Miroslav 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. 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.

Miroslav Kraljević was born on 14 December 1885 in Gospić, in the area of Lika. 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.