France Kralj facts for kids
France Kralj (born September 26, 1895 – died February 2, 1960) was a very important Slovenian artist. He was known for his paintings, drawings, sculptures, and prints. Kralj helped shape two big art movements in Slovenia: expressionism and later the new reality style. In the 1950s, he also started making special prints called monotypes.
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The Life of France Kralj
France Kralj was born in a small place called Zagorica, in Dobrepolje, Slovenia. His parents were Margareti and Janezu Kralj. He had two younger brothers, Tone and Ignacij (Igo).
Early Education and Art Studies
Kralj went to elementary school in Dobrepolje from 1901 to 1907. After that, he started his art journey. In 1907, he joined an art and craft school in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He focused on learning how to sculpt with wood and stone. He continued these studies until 1912.
From 1912 to 1913, Kralj worked as an assistant. He helped out in the workshop of Aloysius Podlogarja in Celovcu. This gave him hands-on experience in the art world.
Further Studies and World War I
In 1913, Kralj traveled to Vienna, Austria, to study sculpture even more. However, his studies were interrupted in 1915 because World War I began. After the war, in 1919, he went to Prague in the Czech Republic. He studied there for two years, improving his artistic skills.
Teaching and Achievements
For many years, France Kralj shared his knowledge with others. He worked as a professor at the Ljubljana Secondary Technical School. In 1933, he wrote a book about his life called Moja pot, which means "My Way".
Kralj's talent was recognized internationally. In 1937, he won a special prize at a world exhibition in Paris, France. He received this award for his amazing sculpture titled Zrebe, which means "Foal".
France Kralj's Artworks
France Kralj's art changed over time, showing different styles and ideas.
Expressionism and New Reality
From 1920 to 1923, Kralj was a key artist in Slovenian expressionism. This art style often shows strong feelings and ideas, sometimes using bright colors and distorted shapes.
Later, he moved away from deep philosophical themes. He started focusing on everyday life in a style called the "new reality". This style often showed ordinary people, animals, and scenes from nature in a more realistic way.
Permanent Collection and Key Works
In 1983, the Božidar Jakac Gallery opened a special collection of Kralj's art. This collection lets visitors see many of his works, including:
- Paintings
- Drawings
- Prints
- Sculptures
The collection includes examples of his expressionist art and his "new reality" pieces. It also features many abstract monotypes. These prints often show farmers, animals, and landscapes. One famous painting by Kralj is "Družinski portret," or "Family Portrait." This painting is a great example of the New Objectivity art style in Slovenia.
