Ljubo Babić
Portrait of Mrs Vrbanić, 1915
oil on canvas, 58.5 x 50.8 cm
MG-2273
Painter and art historian Ljubo Babić (1890–1974) was a highly influential figure in Croatian culture and art. He studied at the Provisional Advanced School of Arts and Crafts under Menci Clement Crnčić before continuing his education at the Academy in Munich. He also obtained a degree in art history from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb. Babić worked as a professor at the Provisional Advanced School of Arts and Crafts, later known as the Academy of Fine Arts, and served as director of the Modern Gallery in Zagreb. He was also a member of the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts (JAZU).
The painting is almost entirely filled by a female figure depicted from the chest up, wearing a large, wide-brimmed hat that casts a dramatic shadow over her eyes. Her face is shown in a three-quarter profile, with her gaze slightly averted yet engaging the observer. The composition is dominated by black and grey hues, with the exception of her facial skin tones. Bold, expressive brushstrokes and the mask-like treatment of her features suggest a leaning towards Expressionism.
Text: Ivana Rončević Elezović Phd, museum consultant of the National Museum of Modern Art © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb
Zagreb
Translated by: Robertina Tomić
Photo: Goran Vranić © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb