Ljubo Babić
Encyclopedia
Ljubo Babić was a Croatian painter, graphic artist, theatrical set and costume designer, teacher, art historian, critic, and museum curator. As an artist, he worked in a variety of media including oils, tempera, watercolour, drawing, etching, and lithography. He was one of the most influential figures in the Zagreb art scene between the two world wars.
He collaborated with director Branko Gavella
in creating a series of set designs for the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb. In 1940 he became a full professor at the Academy of Fine Arts Zagreb
. He held exhibitions at home and abroad and published many articles on art history and critiques of contemporary art events. He wrote and illustrated many books, worked on designs for posters, interiors and decorative arts objects.
, on 14 June 1890, son of Judge Antun Babić and Milka (nee Kovačić), and nephew of the author Ljubo Babić (better known as Ksaver Šandor Gjalski
). The Babić family had been raised to the nobility in 1716 by Charles VI Hapsburg. The Babic family seat was Gredice
near Zabok
, which had been purchased by Ljubo Babić's grandfather.
Following his father's work transfers, young Ljubo attended elementary school in Slatina
, Glina
and Jastrebarsko
. He attended high school in Bjelovar
, with the final two years in the Donji Grad gymnasium in Zagreb. During that time, he attended private art school with Menci Clement Crnčić
and Bela Čikoš Sesija
, and took classes at the School of Arts and Crafts. After completing high school in 1908, at his father's encouragement he enrolled in the Faculty of Law at Zagreb University, but soon abandoned his studies for painting.
Thanks to a scholarship from Count Teodor Pejačević
Babić was able to attend the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich
where he studied painting with Angelo Jank (1910–11), and Franz von Stuck (1911–13). In Munich, he completed a course of artistic anatomy at the Medical School while also studying set design at the Künstlertheater. In 1913-14 he went on to complete his art studies in Paris, returning to his homeland at the beginning of the First World War. There he opened a "modern painting school" in his studio, but soon afterwards accepted a teaching position at the School of Arts, (now the Academy of Fine Arts
) where he became a full professor in 1940, working there for 45 years until he retired in 1961. During the 1930s, he visited other schools and institutes around Europe in order to learn from their experience and improve teaching at the Zagreb academy. In 1932, he graduated in art history from the Faculty of Philosophy, Zagreb University.
In addition to his painting and teaching careers, Ljubo Babić was the first curator of the Modern Gallery
in Zagreb (1919) whose inaugural exhibition featured the previously unknown works of Josip Račić
. He organized exhibitions of modern French and German Art in Zagreb, and an exhibition of medieval art from Yugoslavia in Paris in 1950. For many years he was the director of The Strossmayer Gallery of Old Masters
(from 1947) responsible for organizing many important exhibitions.
Ljubo Babić was one of the organizers of the Croatian Spring Salon (1916), the Independent group of Croatian artists (1923), the Group of Three (1929), Group of Four (1928), the group of Croatian artists (1936) and Croatian artists (1939).
Ljubo Babić was elected as a Member of Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
in 1928, becoming a full member in 1950.
He died in Zagreb
on 14 May 1974.
His early work from Munich shows some poetic symbolism and art nouveau. In portraits, he soon began to depict the more psychological characteristics of his subject. From 1916, expressionistic ideas and themes appeared, and a move towards abstraction, resulting in some of his finest works. In November 1916, on the death of Emperor Francis Joseph, all the streets of Zagreb were dressed in black flags. Inspired by this image, Babić, then aged 26, painted the scene from the second floor window of his studio on Ilica Street. In the foreground is a long, torn black flag and behind it are ominous clouds, and below the people passing. Black Flag (crna zastava) stands as one of his most memorable images.
The writer Miroslav Krleža
said of Babić - in the years between 1916 and 1922 - that he was strongly influenced by the time and by his own ideas. A strong influence on both was the poet Silvije Strahimir Kranjčević
. Babić illustrated Kranjčević's "Songs" (Pjesme, 1908) and many of the poet's themes entered Babić's own work. From the inspiration of the mountain Velebit as seen from Crnčić, Babić created one of his most successful series: "View from the Sky" (Pogled s neba), "Aerial view" (Arielov pogled). He would later be known as the father of modern landscape painting in Croatia.
A journey to Spain in 1920 resulted in an expressive series of paintings, including the powerful black "Fishermen" (Ribere). This cycle of Spanish street scenes was well received and stands as a high point of Babić's own art and Croatian painting in general.
Around 1930, Babić started a series of landscapes and people from around Croatia. He would travel south in the summer months, sketching scenes from Koločep and Pelješca, to Čiovo and Trogir (1930–1936). He was working on what he called "native expression", believing that the landscape, historical experience and folk art could reveal the characteristics of the people. Back in his studio, he created an impressive cycle of landscapes (the series Homeland, Rodni kraj 1933-1939). This series brings his art close to documentary work and Babić worked closely with Matica hrvatska
on aspects of folk heritage and modern cultural and artistic issues.
Babić was one of the creators of the golden years of Zagreb theatre life in the 1920s and 30s. He made his debut as set designer in 1918, altogether creating about 180 designs (often also sketches for the costumes) for drama, comedy and operatic performances. His designs were always based on the logic of the stage events, and contributed greatly to the development of dramatic action. He was also the founder of the first artistic Puppet Theatre in Zagreb (1920), and his set designs for the Paris Expo in 1925, earned him the Grand Prix.
In addition to being a creative artist and designer, Babić was also an interpreter and popularizer of art: as an art writer and critic, as a lecturer, and as a museum curator. He was the most reliable interpreter of Croatian heritage in art museums and exhibitions between 1919-1948. He also created posters and some very successful books on art (1908–1960).
Babić's literary output includes 20 books, brochures and special editions, around 400 articles in periodicals, many encyclopedia articles and several educational programs. In addition to educational and critic works, he also left a number of travel and autobiographical texts. Babić's travelogue text New York "skyline" was included in an anthology America Spectrum from one hundred forty-one works of European writers and works (Spektrum America aus Werken hunderteinundvierzig europäischer Dichter und Werken), Wien-München-Manutius Press, 1964. He was a member of several editorial boards of literary magazines, and editor of the Academy bulletin 1957.
KlasikTV Video about Ljubo Babić and his work is available on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJpb0MBCU1g
Croatia
Macedonia (F.Y.R.M.)
He collaborated with director Branko Gavella
Branko Gavella
Branko Gavella was a Croatian theatre director, critic and essayist.Born in Zagreb, Croatia Gavella finished high school in his hometown before enrolling at the University of Vienna where he studied philosophy and German studies...
in creating a series of set designs for the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb. In 1940 he became a full professor at the Academy of Fine Arts Zagreb
Academy of Fine Arts Zagreb
The Academy of Fine Arts Zagreb is a Croatian art school affiliated with the University of Zagreb.The Academy was established in June 1907 as the Royal College for Arts and Crafts and initially had three departments, for sculpting, painting and art education...
. He held exhibitions at home and abroad and published many articles on art history and critiques of contemporary art events. He wrote and illustrated many books, worked on designs for posters, interiors and decorative arts objects.
Biography
Ljubomir Tito Stjepan Babić was born in JastrebarskoJastrebarsko
- Antiquity :In 1865, remnants of a Roman settlement were uncovered in Repišće, Klinča Sela, a village in Jastrebarsko metropolitan area. Further archeological investigation in the late 20th century classified them as a villa rustica and a necropolis consisting of six tumuli, both dating to...
, on 14 June 1890, son of Judge Antun Babić and Milka (nee Kovačić), and nephew of the author Ljubo Babić (better known as Ksaver Šandor Gjalski
Ksaver Šandor Gjalski
Ksaver Šandor Gjalski, or Ljubo Babić-Gjalski was a Croatian writer and civil servant....
). The Babić family had been raised to the nobility in 1716 by Charles VI Hapsburg. The Babic family seat was Gredice
Gredice
Gredice is a village in the municipality of Brčko, Bosnia and Herzegovina....
near Zabok
Zabok
Zabok is a town and municipality situated in northwest Croatia in the Krapina-Zagorje County. It has a total population of 9,365 . Zabok is situated on the main crossroads in the heart of Hrvatsko zagorje region...
, which had been purchased by Ljubo Babić's grandfather.
Following his father's work transfers, young Ljubo attended elementary school in Slatina
Slatina, Croatia
Slatina is a town in Slavonia, Croatia. It is located in the Virovitica-Podravina county, at the contact of the Drava valley and the foothills of Papuk mountain, in the central part of the region of Podravina, southeast of Virovitica; elevation 127 m...
, Glina
Glina, Croatia
Glina is a small town in central Croatia, located southwest of Petrinja and Sisak in the Sisak-Moslavina county. It lies on the eponymous river of Glina.-History:...
and Jastrebarsko
Jastrebarsko
- Antiquity :In 1865, remnants of a Roman settlement were uncovered in Repišće, Klinča Sela, a village in Jastrebarsko metropolitan area. Further archeological investigation in the late 20th century classified them as a villa rustica and a necropolis consisting of six tumuli, both dating to...
. He attended high school in Bjelovar
Bjelovar
Bjelovar is a city in central Croatia. It is the administrative centre of Bjelovar-Bilogora County. During the 2001 census, there were 41,869 inhabitants, 90.51% which are Croats....
, with the final two years in the Donji Grad gymnasium in Zagreb. During that time, he attended private art school with Menci Clement Crnčić
Menci Clement Crnčić
Menci Clement Crnčić was a Croatian painter, printmaker, teacher and museum director. He studied painting and drawing in Vienna and Munich, and trained in graphic arts in Vienna, studying etching and engraving...
and Bela Čikoš Sesija
Bela Cikoš Sesija
Bela Čikoš Sesija ; was a Croatian painter of historical and allegorical scenes at the turn of the 20th century...
, and took classes at the School of Arts and Crafts. After completing high school in 1908, at his father's encouragement he enrolled in the Faculty of Law at Zagreb University, but soon abandoned his studies for painting.
Thanks to a scholarship from Count Teodor Pejačević
Teodor Pejačević
Count Teodor Pejačević of Virovitica was a Croatian politician who served as Ban of Croatia-Slavonia between 1903 and 1907....
Babić was able to attend the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich
Academy of Fine Arts, Munich
The Academy of Fine Arts, Munich was founded 1808 by Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria in Munich as the "Royal Academy of Fine Arts" and is one of the oldest and most significant art academies in Germany...
where he studied painting with Angelo Jank (1910–11), and Franz von Stuck (1911–13). In Munich, he completed a course of artistic anatomy at the Medical School while also studying set design at the Künstlertheater. In 1913-14 he went on to complete his art studies in Paris, returning to his homeland at the beginning of the First World War. There he opened a "modern painting school" in his studio, but soon afterwards accepted a teaching position at the School of Arts, (now the Academy of Fine Arts
Academy of Fine Arts Zagreb
The Academy of Fine Arts Zagreb is a Croatian art school affiliated with the University of Zagreb.The Academy was established in June 1907 as the Royal College for Arts and Crafts and initially had three departments, for sculpting, painting and art education...
) where he became a full professor in 1940, working there for 45 years until he retired in 1961. During the 1930s, he visited other schools and institutes around Europe in order to learn from their experience and improve teaching at the Zagreb academy. In 1932, he graduated in art history from the Faculty of Philosophy, Zagreb University.
In addition to his painting and teaching careers, Ljubo Babić was the first curator of the Modern Gallery
Modern Gallery, Zagreb
Modern Gallery is a museum in Zagreb, Croatia that holds the most important and comprehensive collection of paintings, sculptures and drawings by 19th and 20th century Croatian artists. The collection numbers around 10,000 works of art, housed since 1934 in the historic Vranyczany Palace in the...
in Zagreb (1919) whose inaugural exhibition featured the previously unknown works of Josip Račić
Josip Račić
Josip Račić was a Croatian painter in the early 20th century. Although he died very young , and his work was mostly created when a student, he is one of the best known of the modern Croatian painters...
. He organized exhibitions of modern French and German Art in Zagreb, and an exhibition of medieval art from Yugoslavia in Paris in 1950. For many years he was the director of The Strossmayer Gallery of Old Masters
The Strossmayer Gallery of Old Masters
The Strossmayer Gallery of Old Masters is a fine art museum in Zagreb, Croatia exhibiting the collection donated to the city by Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer in 1884...
(from 1947) responsible for organizing many important exhibitions.
Ljubo Babić was one of the organizers of the Croatian Spring Salon (1916), the Independent group of Croatian artists (1923), the Group of Three (1929), Group of Four (1928), the group of Croatian artists (1936) and Croatian artists (1939).
Ljubo Babić was elected as a Member of Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
The 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 :...
in 1928, becoming a full member in 1950.
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 14 May 1974.
Legacy
Ljubo Babić was a central figure in the Croatian art scene in the period between the two world wars. His views provided a strong influence over the art of the time.His early work from Munich shows some poetic symbolism and art nouveau. In portraits, he soon began to depict the more psychological characteristics of his subject. From 1916, expressionistic ideas and themes appeared, and a move towards abstraction, resulting in some of his finest works. In November 1916, on the death of Emperor Francis Joseph, all the streets of Zagreb were dressed in black flags. Inspired by this image, Babić, then aged 26, painted the scene from the second floor window of his studio on Ilica Street. In the foreground is a long, torn black flag and behind it are ominous clouds, and below the people passing. Black Flag (crna zastava) stands as one of his most memorable images.
The writer Miroslav Krleža
Miroslav Krleža
Miroslav Krleža was a leading Croatian and Yugoslav writer and the dominant figure in cultural life of both Yugoslav states, the Kingdom and the Republic . He has often been proclaimed the greatest Croatian writer of the 20th century.-Biography:Miroslav Krleža was born in Zagreb, modern-day...
said of Babić - in the years between 1916 and 1922 - that he was strongly influenced by the time and by his own ideas. A strong influence on both was the poet Silvije Strahimir Kranjčević
Silvije Strahimir Kranjcevic
Silvije Strahimir Kranjčević was a Croatian poet. His reflexive poetry, reaching its zenith in the 1890s, was a turning point that ushered modern themes in Croatian poetry.-Early life:...
. Babić illustrated Kranjčević's "Songs" (Pjesme, 1908) and many of the poet's themes entered Babić's own work. From the inspiration of the mountain Velebit as seen from Crnčić, Babić created one of his most successful series: "View from the Sky" (Pogled s neba), "Aerial view" (Arielov pogled). He would later be known as the father of modern landscape painting in Croatia.
A journey to Spain in 1920 resulted in an expressive series of paintings, including the powerful black "Fishermen" (Ribere). This cycle of Spanish street scenes was well received and stands as a high point of Babić's own art and Croatian painting in general.
Around 1930, Babić started a series of landscapes and people from around Croatia. He would travel south in the summer months, sketching scenes from Koločep and Pelješca, to Čiovo and Trogir (1930–1936). He was working on what he called "native expression", believing that the landscape, historical experience and folk art could reveal the characteristics of the people. Back in his studio, he created an impressive cycle of landscapes (the series Homeland, Rodni kraj 1933-1939). This series brings his art close to documentary work and Babić worked closely with Matica hrvatska
Matica hrvatska
Matica hrvatska is one of the oldest Croatian cultural institutions, dating back to 1842. The name is somewhat idiosyncratic, best translated as "The Croatian Centre" . It is the largest publisher of Croatian language books...
on aspects of folk heritage and modern cultural and artistic issues.
Babić was one of the creators of the golden years of Zagreb theatre life in the 1920s and 30s. He made his debut as set designer in 1918, altogether creating about 180 designs (often also sketches for the costumes) for drama, comedy and operatic performances. His designs were always based on the logic of the stage events, and contributed greatly to the development of dramatic action. He was also the founder of the first artistic Puppet Theatre in Zagreb (1920), and his set designs for the Paris Expo in 1925, earned him the Grand Prix.
In addition to being a creative artist and designer, Babić was also an interpreter and popularizer of art: as an art writer and critic, as a lecturer, and as a museum curator. He was the most reliable interpreter of Croatian heritage in art museums and exhibitions between 1919-1948. He also created posters and some very successful books on art (1908–1960).
Babić's literary output includes 20 books, brochures and special editions, around 400 articles in periodicals, many encyclopedia articles and several educational programs. In addition to educational and critic works, he also left a number of travel and autobiographical texts. Babić's travelogue text New York "skyline" was included in an anthology America Spectrum from one hundred forty-one works of European writers and works (Spektrum America aus Werken hunderteinundvierzig europäischer Dichter und Werken), Wien-München-Manutius Press, 1964. He was a member of several editorial boards of literary magazines, and editor of the Academy bulletin 1957.
KlasikTV Video about Ljubo Babić and his work is available on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJpb0MBCU1g
Paintings
- From Munich Studio (Iz münchenskog atelijera), 1911
- Self-portrait (Autoportret), 1912
- Portrait of A.G. Matoš (Portret A. G. Matoša), 1913
- Black flag (Crna zastava), 1916
- Portrait of Miroslav Krleza (Portret M. Krleže), 1918
- Christ (Krist), around 1918
- Krajolik, 1918
- Red Flags (Crveni stjegovi) I. i II., 1919
- View from Brestovca (Pogled s Brestovca), 1919
- Crucifixion (Golgota), 1919
- Izgradnja, 1919
- Raspeće, 1920
- Spanish cycle (watercolours) (ciklus akvarela S puta po Španjolskoj), 1920
- Pogreb, 1926
- Croatian peasant (Hrvatski seljak), 1926
- Figs (Smokve), 1928
- Spring flowers (Proljetno cvijeće), 1930
- Figs at Vignja (Smokvice kod Vignja), 1930
- Landscape (Pejzaž), 1931
- The Road to Koločep (Put na Koločepu), 1932
- Nevenka, 1932
- S Mrežnice, 1932
- My Studio (Moj atelijer), 1933
- Portrait of my wife (Portret supruge), 1934
- Spring Countryside (Proljetni pejzaž), 1936
- Autumn on Ciovo (Jesen na Čiovu), 1936
- Self-portrait (Autoportret), 1937
- Zagorje Countryside (Zagorski pejzaž), 1937
- Homeland (Rodni kraj) (Pred večernjicu), 1938
- Janica, 1938
- Dried Flowers (Suho cvijeće), 1942
- Spring, house and me (Proljeće, kuća i ja), 1953
- From my Garden (Iz mog vrta), 1956
- Orebi, 1964
Theatrical Set Designs
- Verdi: Othelo, 1918
- Goethe: Faust, 1921
- Krleža: Golgota, 1922
- Širola-Babić: Sjene, 1923
- Debussy: Peleas i Melisanda, 1923
- Shakespeare: King Richard III, 1923
- Krleža: Vučjak, 1923
- Shakespeare: Na tri kralja…, 1924
- Wedekind: Proljeće se budi, 1924
- Shakespeare: Hamlet, 1929
- Beethoven: Fidelio, 1930
- Büchner: Dantonova smrt, 1937
- Cesarec: Sin domovine, 1940
- Pirandello: Večeras improviziramo, 1941
- Shakespeare: Hamlet (nova verzija, neostvareno), 1941
Book Illustrations
- Kumičić: Začuđeni svatovi, 1910
- Kučera-Plivelić-Božičević: Novovjeki izumi, 1910
- Nazor: Hrvatski kraljevi, 1912
- Dante: Čistilište, 1912
- Bazala: Povijest filozofije, 1912
- Vidrić: Pjesme, 1914
- Donadini: Lude priče, 1915
- Schneider: Oprema opere, 1916
- Nehajev: Studija o Hamletu, 1917
- Krleža: Pjesme I, Pjesme II, 1918
- Vijavica (časopis), 1919
- Juriš (časopis), 1919
- Plamen (časopis), 1919
- Begović: Dunja u kovčegu, 1921
- Cesarec: Careva kraljevina, 1925
- Shakespeare: Sabrana djela (nedovršeno), 1947–1960
- Ljetopis popa Dukljanina, 1950
- Ariosto: Bijesni Orlando, 1953
- A.G. Matoš: Sabrana djela (nedovršeno), 1953–1955
- Goethe: Faust, 1955
Books and Publications
- Maestral, 1931
- Croatian Art in the 19th Century (Umjetnost kod Hrvata u XIX. stoljeću), Zagreb 1934
- Under Italian Skies (Pod italskim nebom), Zagreb 1937
- Croatian Art (Umjetnost kod Hrvata) (SD, I), Zagreb 1943
- Masters Revival (Majstori preporoda) (SD, II), Zagreb 1943
- Colour and Harmony (Boja i sklad), Zagreb 1943
- Unfied Forms (Oblici umieća), I. knj. (SD, III), Zagreb 1944
- The Golden Age of Spanish Painting (Zlatni viek španjolskog slikarstva) (SD, IV), Zagreb 1944
- Honoré Daumier, Zagreb 1951
- French Paintings of the 19th Century (Francusko slikarstvo XIX. stoljeća), Zagreb 1953
- Between Two Worlds (Između dva svijeta), Zagreb 1955
- Izabrana djela (s C. Fiskovićem), Zagreb 1985
Exhibitions
Babić exhibited from 1910 until his death in 1974 in solo, group and collective shows around the world, including the "Medulića" Munich annual exhibition with other artists of the Vienna (Austria) Secession, the Croatian Spring Salon, Lade exhibitions, Independent Artists, Group of Three, Croatian artists, the XXI Venice Biennale, and in a number of other exhibitions of Croatian and Yugoslav artists. At the Exposition internationale in Paris 1925 and in New York in 1926, he worked in the International Theatre Exhibition.Solo shows
- 2010/11 Ljubo Babić – Antologija (Anthology) Modern gallery, Zagreb.
- 1975/6 Ljubo Babić Retrospektiva, Modern Gallery, Zagreb
Group shows
Recent exhibitions of Babić's work include- 2008 From the holdings of the museum - Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik
- 2006 Croatian Collection - Museum of Contemporary Art Skopje, Skopje
Public collections
Babić's work can be found in the following public collectionsCroatia
- Modern Gallery, ZagrebModern Gallery, ZagrebModern Gallery is a museum in Zagreb, Croatia that holds the most important and comprehensive collection of paintings, sculptures and drawings by 19th and 20th century Croatian artists. The collection numbers around 10,000 works of art, housed since 1934 in the historic Vranyczany Palace in the...
- Museum of Contemporary Art, ZagrebMuseum of Contemporary Art, ZagrebThe Museum of Contemporary Art is a contemporary art museum located on Dubrovnik Avenue in Zagreb, Croatia. It is the biggest and most modern museum in the country....
- Museum of Modern Art, Dubrovnik
- 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 Museum, Osijek
- Fine Art Gallery, Rijeka
Macedonia (F.Y.R.M.)
- Museum of Contemporary Art Skopje