Edo Murtić: Century Of Artwork by Croatian Picasso

May 4th 2021 marks one century since the birth of Edo Murtić, also known as the Croatian Picasso – thanks to his anti-war tendencies, and vivid colours in his artwork.

To honour the artist’s 100th birthday, the Murtić Foundation and Croatian Association of Fine Artists organised exhibition called “Murtić100”. The artwork of Edo Murtić is displayed in three different locations in Zagreb, Croatia. The “Murtić100″exhibition remains open until July 18th of this year.

Anti-War Artist 

Edo Murtić was born in Velika Pisanica, on May 4th 1921. His family moved to Zagreb in his early childhood. He graduated in, what is today, School of Applied Arts, and enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb and later in Belgrade. 

(1) Young Edo Murtić in his atelier.

His first solo exhibition was held in 1935. During the World War II, he participated in the anti-fascist movement. This part of his life formed his ideas and work until his death. He always stated that it is important to permanently remember the victims of fascist terror and anti-war themes in general. From the period during and immediately after war comes his “Kadevara series”, which depicts skeletons with war medals on them. His anti-war, anti-fascist tendencies, and his artwork created in line with his beliefs and with vivid colours earned him the nickname – Croatian Picasso. 

(2) Kadevara series by Edo Murtić, Seen here as part of Murtić100 exihibition.

Dynamic Colours

Murtić was fortunate enough to continue his artistic evolution inspired by study trips to France, Italy and the USA. Changes in Murtić’s artwork are always recognisable, when his expression is compared over time, and in line with the international art scene of the time. 

Murtić was a strong force in modernism, particularly in the Southeast Europe. His exhibitions in Zagreb and Belgrade in 1953 were some of the first solo exhibitions of abstract modernism in the socialist world. 

Murtić didn’t just create large scale paintings. He was also comfortable creating graphics, teatre scenography, ceramics, public mosaics, tapestries, and also painting with industrial materials. 

(3) Murtić Mosaic in Zagreb, Dragutin Domjanić Primary School, created between 1970 and 1971.

Edo Murtić: An Institution

The artwork of Croatian Picasso are a part of numerous galleries and museums all over the world; his work can be found in Tate Modern, Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice and Rockefeller collection. 

(4) Part of Murtić100 exhibition held in Meštrović pavillion in Zagreb.

During his lifetime, over 300 solo exhibitions were organised worldwide and he even participated at the Venice Biennial. Although he travelled and painted all over the world, throughout his life, Edo Murtić lived between Zagreb and Vrsar. He died in Zagreb, in January 2004. 

The dynamic colours he used, with distinct gestures are fundamental to Murtić’s creative approach. He was also called “a painter of volcanic force and gestures” and became an very influential artist during his lifetime. Many tried to copy him, but the temperament and style of his works are very recognisable even today. 

You can watch part of his creative process on the website of Murtić100 exhibition – https://murtic100.hr/en/exhibition.html

The unquestionable affirmation he achieved locally and internationally, his authority and almost emblematic status, never diminished the idealism of Edo Murtić. His friends and family sometimes say that his his life energy is the extension of his visual expression, social conduct, relaxing mobility but also his insistence on work and dedication to his art. 

(5) Murtić is famous for using vivid colours in various arts. Seen here is wall filled with ceramic plates, as part of Murtić100 exhibition, held in Zagreb, Croatia.

The purpose of this article is to bring the public closer to the unique works and art of Edo Murtić; painter, sculptor and artist of various works from modernist era, dedicated to anti-fascist movement, peace, and art  just like his counterpart Picasso. 

(6) Author of the text next to three paintings of Edo Murtić at Murtić100 exhibition.

Sources: 

Zanimljivosti Edo Murtić. (n.d.). Https://Velika-Pisanica.Hr/Zanimljivosti/Hrvatska/Edo_murti/. https://velika-pisanica.hr/zanimljivosti/hrvatska/edo_murti/

Information from the Catalogue of Murtić 100 exhibition, Publisher: Croatian Association of the Fine Artists, Trg žrtava fašizma 16, Zagreb; Murtić 100. (2021). Https://Murtic100.Hr/En/Exhibition.Html. https://murtic100.hr/en/exhibition.html

Murtić’s Other Sun. (2014). Oris, 89. http://www.oris.hr/files/pdf/zastita/193/Oris89_Murtic_OtherSun.pdf

Image Sources:

(1) [Murtic]. (n.d.). http://murtic.org/en/edo-murtic/who-edo-murtic

(2) Kadevara series by Edo Murtić, Seen here as part of Murtić100 exihibition, Markek P., (2021.), photo from the exhibition.

(3) Murtić Mosaic. (n.d.). [Photograph]. Http://Www1.Zagreb.Hr/Galerijakd.Nsf/C31dd4a135787898c1256f9600325af4/633156773c59d6e9c1257f3e004909bf. http://www1.zagreb.hr/galerijakd.nsf/c31dd4a135787898c1256f9600325af4/633156773c59d6e9c1257f3e004909bf

(4) Part of Murtić100 exhibition held in Meštrović pavillion in Zagreb, Markek P. (2021), photo from the exhibition.

(5) Murtić is famous for using vivid colours in various arts. Seen here is wall filled with ceramic plates, as part of Murtić100 exhibition, held in Zagreb, Croatia, Markek P. (2021), photo from the exhibition.

(6) Author of the text next to three paintings of Edo Murtić at Murtić100 exhibition, Markek P. (2021), photo from the exhibition.