Portrait Serbia
Robert Hammerstiel, an Austrian painter and engraver born on 18 February 1933 in Vršac, Yugoslavia, was renowned for his profound and impactful art. His works, deeply influenced by his experiences, were widely exhibited in prominent cities like New York, Vienna, Cairo, and Brussels.
Hammerstiel's journey in the art world was notable for its depth and variety. In 1988, he transitioned to a full-time artistic career, leaving behind his work in the steel industry. This shift marked a new phase in his life, allowing him to fully dedicate himself to his art. One of his significant works includes "Von Ikonen und Ratten: Eine Banater Kindheit 1939 – 1949," which comprises 32 woodcuts, highlighting his skill in both writing and visual arts. His talent was recognized with several prestigious honors, including the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art in 1998 and the Austrian State Prize for Graphics in 1973.
Hammerstiel's art was not just limited to traditional formats; in 2007, he impressively wrapped the Ringturm in Vienna with a 4,000 square meter painting. His works are a part of various collections and have been displayed in significant exhibitions. Notably, the Leopold Museum in Vienna featured his graphic work in an exhibition titled "Winterreise", inspired by Schubert's song cycle, showcasing a series of drawings and woodcuts.
Robert Hammerstiel's influence in the art world extended beyond his lifetime, culminating in his birth town dedicating a museum to his works in 2010. His passing on 23 November 2020 marked the end of an era but left behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire artists and art lovers globally. His work is a testament to the power of art in expressing the complexities of human experiences and emotions.
For collectors, auctioneers, and experts in art and antiques, the works of Robert Hammerstiel offer a unique blend of cultural richness and profound artistic expression. His art, characterized by its emotional depth and technical skill, continues to hold a special place in the world of fine arts.
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Heinrich Knirr was a German painter of the late nineteenth and first half of the twentieth centuries. He is known for his genre scenes, portraits, landscapes and still lifes, and is most famous for the official portrait of Adolf Hitler, which he painted in 1937.
Knirr was a member of the Munich and Vienna Secession, as well as the German Artists' Association. He produced portraits, mostly of children, genre paintings, still lifes and landscapes. Knirr was a sought-after painter during the National Socialist era; he painted official portraits of the leaders of the Third Reich, for which he was nicknamed the "court painter".
Stepan Fedorovitch Kolesnikoff (Russian: Степан Федорович Колесников) was a Ukrainian realist painter renowned for his exceptional ability to capture the essence of Ukrainian nature and rural life. Born in 1879 in the Russian Empire and passing in 1955 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Kolesnikoff's journey began in a humble peasant family. His artistic talent was evident early on, leading him to the Odessa Art School and subsequently, without exams, to the prestigious Imperial Academy of Arts. Here, he was not only a student but also thrived, winning numerous awards for his work.
Kolesnikoff's art is characterized by its focus on the natural awakening of landscapes, melting snows, floods, and the vibrant days of spring. He also had a keen interest in painting domestic scenes filled with people and animals, often using a palette of blues and bright oranges. Despite the rich detail in his paintings, Kolesnikoff rarely highlighted the faces of his subjects, preferring instead to capture the essence of the moment. His work received high praise from Ilya Repin, a leading Russian artist of the time, underscoring Kolesnikoff's significant impact on realism.
After emigrating to the Balkans in 1919 due to the political upheaval in Russia, Kolesnikoff settled in Belgrade where he continued his artistic career. He was warmly welcomed and even participated in state assignments, such as leading restoration works on paintings and frescoes. Kolesnikoff's legacy extends beyond his paintings; he was a respected member of the artistic community, contributing to societies like the "Community of Artists" and "Leonardo da Vinci".
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Kolesnikoff's work represents a fascinating blend of cultural and historical narratives, imbued with the beauty of Eastern European landscapes and life. His contributions to realism and his unique approach to depicting rural life make his works highly sought after.
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Jovan Mihailović is a Serbian and American musician, artist and writer.
Jovan Mihailović was born and raised in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, where he and his family survived the Nazi occupation and the transition to communism. From a young age, he demonstrated artistic ability and began to draw, paint and play the violin. He studied at the Belgrade Theater Academy, worked as a playwright in Yugoslavia and traveled throughout Western Europe as a folk musician before immigrating to Sweden, Canada and finally Chicago in 1971.
Jovan was an active member of Chicago's creative community for four decades, writing dozens of novels, plays, and short stories, as well as performing music in restaurants and cafes. He also created many hundreds of drawings and paintings that are full of emotionally intense images from the artist's mystical universe of beauty.
