Andrija Maurović facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Andrija Maurović |
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Andrija Maurović
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| Born | 29 March 1901 Muo, Kingdom of Dalmatia, Austria-Hungary (now Muo, Montenegro) |
| Died | 2 September 1981 (aged 80) Zagreb, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia (now Zagreb, Croatia) |
| Nationality | Croatian |
| Area(s) | Writer, Artist |
Andrija Maurović (born March 29, 1901 – died September 2, 1981) was a famous comic book artist. Many people call him the "father" of Croatian and Yugoslav comics. He is best known for his comic series called Stari Mačak, which means "Old Tom-cat". This series was very popular in the 1930s, and the name "Old Tom-cat" even became a nickname for Maurović himself!
He was born in Muo, a small town near Kotor in what was then the Kingdom of Dalmatia. Today, this area is part of Montenegro. He later moved to Zagreb, where he studied art. Maurović became a successful illustrator and comic book creator. In 1937, he helped start a comics magazine called "Mickey Strip". Many of his comics were published there. He was known for his realistic and strong drawing style. He often used strong black and white contrasts and exciting angles to make his comics feel dynamic.
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Biography
Andrija Maurović was born in the village of Muo. This village is in a beautiful area called Boka Kotorska, which is now in Montenegro. His father was from Slovenia, and his mother was from Croatia.
After a short time in Poland, his family moved to Dubrovnik. This city is close to where he was born. He went to elementary and high school there.
Art School and Early Work
Later, Maurović went to the Academy of Arts in Zagreb. He was a very talented artist, especially at drawing. However, he often had disagreements with the school rules. The academy did not want students to work while studying. But Andrija loved to work!
He started illustrating books and newspapers. He also worked for publishers and graphic companies. He was so busy with his art that he did not worry much about school. His amazing illustrations, caricatures, and posters appeared in many popular papers and magazines.
First Comics and Collaborations
In 1935, Maurović created his very first comic. It was called Vjerenica Mača (The Sword's Fiancée). This comic was published in a Zagreb newspaper called Novosti. In the same year, he also helped launch Oko, which was the first comics magazine in Yugoslavia.
Maurović worked with many talented Croatian writers. He also drew pictures for stories by famous authors from around the world. These included writers like Zane Grey, Jack London, and H. G. Wells.
A Versatile Artist
Andrija Maurović was a very busy artist with many skills. He was known for designing posters, especially during a time when posters were very important for sharing messages. He also painted beautiful scenes of the sea and dramatic, end-of-the-world pictures. He was a caricaturist (drawing funny pictures of people) and an illustrator.
He created many memorable comic book heroes. Some of his famous characters include Dan, Old Tom-cat, and Radoslav. His artworks are recognized all over the world. He has received many awards and his work is often reprinted. People compare his achievements to the greatest comic artists globally.
Chess Set Design
In the 1960s, Andrija Maurović helped redesign a special Dubrovnik chess set. This chess set was made in Zagreb. He made some changes to the chess pieces, like simplifying the knights.
Later Life and Legacy
Towards the end of his life, Maurović stopped working on regular comics. He chose a simpler way of living, without things like running water or electricity. During this time, he painted large oil paintings with themes about the end of the world.
Andrija Maurović passed away in Zagreb. He was buried in the Mirogoj Cemetery. People believe that his main ideas, like those of his comic heroes, were always about the victory of justice and freedom.
Stari Mačak (Old Tom-cat)
Maurović started his most famous comic series, Stari Mačak, in 1937. He created this series and its characters with a journalist named Franjo Fuis. They wanted to make an original story, not just adapt an old one.
The character "Stari Mačak" (Old Tom-cat) first appeared in a comic called Gospodar Zlatnih Bregova (Master of the Golden Hills) in January 1937. He was an old traveler who had lost his memory after an accident. This comic was first published in the magazine "Novosti". Later, it appeared in the comics magazine "Mickey Strip" under the name Crni Jahač (Dark Rider) in 1938.
Stari Mačak was not like a typical Western hero. Maurović got his ideas for the character from people he met every day. He based "Stari Mačak" on a construction worker he often saw at a pub in Ilica street.
Soon after, another story came out called Sablast Zelenih Močvara (Spook of The Green Swamps). In this adventure, Stari Mačak was joined by a wandering poet named Polagana Smrt (Slow Death). The poet had a parrot named Penelope and a horse named Tulip. The story Posljednja pustolovina Starog Mačka (Old cat's last adventure) was published in parts from November 1 to December 27, 1937.
