Biography

Julije Knifer was a prominent Croatian abstract painter, born on April 23, 1924, and passing away on December 7, 2004. He was a key figure in the Croatian avant-garde art scene and a founding member of the Gorgona Group, an influential art collective active in the 1960s. Knifer's work is characterized by his exploration of the meander, a geometric form that he consistently used throughout his career in various mediums such as print, oil, acrylic, collage, and murals. His dedication to this motif is exemplified by his large-scale works, including a monumental meander on a 20 x 30-meter canvas in Tübingen in 1975. Knifer's art gained international recognition, leading to his participation in numerous prestigious exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale and the São Paulo Art Biennale. His works are held in major collections worldwide, such as the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. In 1994, Knifer relocated to Paris, where he continued to create until his death. His contributions to modern art were acknowledged with the Vladimir Nazor Life Achievement Award in 2002. Knifer's painting PLS 69 set a record for Croatian modern art when it sold for €137,000 in 2016, underscoring his lasting impact and the high regard in which his work is held.