Milivoj Uzelac
Portrait of a Woman in a Striped Skirt, 1941
oil on canvas
136 x 93 cm
MG-2887

Milivoj Uzelac (Mostar, 1897 – Cotignac in France, 1977) was one of the key figures in Croatian modern art. He studied in Banja Luka, Zagreb, and Prague, where he refined his artistic skills. While in Prague, he developed close relationships with several influential contemporaries, including Vilko Gecan (Kuželj near Brod na Kupi, 1894 – Zagreb, 1973), Marijan Trepše (Zagreb, 1897 – 1964), and Vladimir Varlaj (Zagreb, 1895 – 1962). Together, they became known as the “Prague Four,” representing the new expressionist movement in Croatia. After returning from Prague in 1919, Uzelac spent only a few years working in Zagreb. In 1923, he left Croatia and settled in France, where he drew inspiration from major European art movements such as Fauvism, Expressionism, and Cubism. Although he lived and worked in France, Uzelac regularly exhibited in Croatia and significantly influenced the new generation of Croatian interwar painters.
Milivoj Uzelac’s artistic work in France after the 1930s is characterised by a fusion of colour, form, and emotion. His 1941 painting Portrait of a Woman in a Striped Skirt is notable for its modernist approach, with touches of realism. The composition centres on a woman seated with a slightly hunched posture and her hands folded. Her pensive expression adds a layer of introspection and quiet intimacy. Uzelac uses shadows to darken her face, which enhances the emotional depth and mystery of the portrait. The long striped skirt, featuring a dynamic mix of green, pink, and white tones, dominates the image, giving it rhythm. The background is a simple blue, while the floor, in red and orange hues, introduces warmth and a striking visual contrast that further highlights the woman’s figure. In this work, Uzelac skilfully balances decorative elements with emotional resonance. His bold use of colour, thoughtful composition, and the intimate mood of the painting combine to create a portrait that radiates both serenity and an underlying tension. These qualities are representative of Uzelac’s later portraiture, a phase in which his painting reached full maturity and expressive strength.

Text: Luciana Fuks, Curatorial Assistant, National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb
Translated by: Robertina Tomić
Photo: Goran Vranić © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb