Ilija Bašičević Bosilj III

Ilija Bašičević Bosilj's wonderful little assembled carved birds complimenting his extensive paintings of birds which you can see in previous posts. 

Ilija Bašičević Bosilj II

More magical work by Ilija Bašičević Bosilj (2 August 1895 – 1972). Iljia was born in 1895 in Šid. Vojvodina the ninth child in his family. He worked as a farmer and wine maker until he was 62. He produced his first gouaches and drawings in 1957 and from 1958. started working in oil paint, in his life time despite being late to commence a career in art he was acclaimed and exhibited widely. 

"It seems to me that the old people were right when they said that there is a constant battle between the good and the evil, only one never knows what is good and what is bad. For all I used to love, I hate now, and all I used to hate I love now, so who can be clever? In my life I  heard some words, and I remember the that a man is a scarf with two faces."  Ilija Bašičević Bosilj

Ilija Bašičević Bosilj I

Ilija Bašičević Bosilj (2 August 1895 – 1972) lived a life constantly disrupted by conflict and political change. His life story is fascinating as are his wonderful naive paintings. 
Ilija Bašičević Bosilj began painting in his early fifties and during his lifetime was exhibited widely throughout Europe and indeed in Japan and South America. To help support his home town of Shid, Ilija bequeathed his work which now forms the Museum Ilijanum.