Ambroz Testen
Ambroz Janez Testen (31 August 1897 – 7 January 1984) was franciscan and Croatian expressionistic painter of Slovenian descent.[3]
Ambroz Janez Tasten | |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 August 1897 |
| Died | 7 January 1984 |
| Nationality | Slovene |
| Notable work | Dvije duše razgovaraju (Two souls talking) Križni put (Stations of the Cross) |
| Style | watercolor painting |
| Movement | expressionism[1][2] |
He was born in village Loka pri Mengšu near Kamnik in northern Slovenia. He moved to Croatia as a teenager to become a Franciscan. His monk name was Benedict.[4]
Before World War I he lived in a monastery on Košljun, a tiny island near Krk. He fought on Italian Front in Tirol and Duchy of Styria.[4] After World War I, in 1920, he deserted and escape to Dubrovnik where he took the name Ambroz.[1]
He lived two years in Cavtat monastery, where he learned painting from Vlaho Bukovac,[2] famous Croatian painter who had his workroom there.[1][4]
He also learned watercolor painting from Maksimilijan Vanka.[2] In 1929 he moved to Pelješac, where he got to know Celestin Medović.[4]
From 1939 to 1961 he lived in a monastery on island Krapanj then in St.Bernardine monastery in Kampor on island Rab where he painted a lot of his famous works. Since 1989. there is a permanent exhibition of his works there. After World War II, he shortly lived in Šibenik.
References
- Croatian Encyclopedia online, Testen, Ambroz Janez, accessdate 14 July 2016 (in Croatian)
- www.akademija-art.hr Archived 2016-08-10 at the Wayback Machine, Galery of Ambroz Testen, accessdate 14 July 2016 (in Croatian)
- Slovenci.hr - council of Slovenes of Croatia Archived 2016-10-12 at the Wayback Machine, Exhibition of Slovenian born artist Ambroz Testen, 18 March 2013, accessdate 14 July 2013 (in Croatian and Slovene)
- Vladimir Lončarević, Udivljenje vjerom Ambroza Testena, catholic week magazine Glas Koncila, no. 21 (2187), 21 July 2016, p. 21 (in Croatian)