Is risto stijović's work still under copyright?

Yes, works by this artist are still under copyright.

During World War II, what experience profoundly impacted Stijović's life and art?

Imprisonment in a concentration camp

(1894 - 1974)

Risto Stijović: A Life in Sculpture

Born: Podgorica, Montenegro (1894)
Died: 1974
Nationality: Yugoslav & Serbian

Risto Stijović was a highly original and significant sculptor from Yugoslavia, widely regarded as the most important artist from Montenegro. His work, deeply rooted in Yugoslav nature and culture, established him as a master of sculpting animal figures and a key figure in modernist sculpture.

Early Life and Education

Stijović's artistic journey began in 1912 when he enrolled at the Serbian School of Fine Arts under the tutelage of Đorđe Jovanović.
His education was interrupted by World War I, during which he served in the Serbian Army. He endured a harrowing experience being imprisoned in Banjica concentration camp during World War II – an event that profoundly impacted his life and artistic expression.
Following the war, Stijović continued his studies in France, first at Marseille art school with a French government scholarship, then at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He married Jeanette in 1922 while living in Paris.

Artistic Career and Style

Stijović's artistic career is characterized by his unique modernist style, influenced by contemporary movements and artists like Picasso, Matisse, Pompon, and Maillol. He exhibited alongside these masters in the early 1920s.
He is particularly celebrated for his sculptures of animal figures, demonstrating a remarkable mastery of form and detail. His work also encompasses female nudes, portraits, reliefs, architectural decorative sculptures, and monumental public sculptures.
Stijović’s preferred materials included wood, bronze, marble, and gypsum. He developed a distinctive plastic style, carefully shaping the material while respecting its inherent structure.
A notable work is Caryatid (1931), a wooden sculpture housed at the Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection in Novi Sad, Serbia.

Major Achievements and Legacy

Stijović’s contributions to art were recognized internationally, notably with the Grand Prix – a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1937, where he represented Yugoslav sculpture.
He held professorship at Third Male Gymnasium in Belgrade and became a regular member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) in 1965.
His legacy extends beyond his individual works; Stijović is credited with founding the modernist expression in sculpture within Montenegro, inspiring generations of artists.
The Gallery Risto Stijović in Podgorica preserves and showcases his work, highlighting his significant contribution to Montenegrin art.