Is Caryatid under copyright?

Yes, this artwork is still under copyright.

Where can I see Caryatid?

The Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection

Purchase a print of Caryatid

Collectible Description

One of the caryatids that Stijović carved in wood from 1930, and one of his best sculptures, it is the only one from that series which has constantly been on public display since 1961. “I gave that caryatid to Josić [Mladen] as soon as I made it”, he once said. Beljanski bought it immediately after the war. It was exhibited at the XXV Biennale in Venice in 1952, when the author dated this sculpture to 1931. In spite of the unreliability of human memory, this year has been accepted as the time of its creation. All the characteristics of Stijović’s sculpture are concentrated in this nude female figure: a synthetic form made up of stylized shapes, the merely hinted anatomy and surfaces polished to perfection, simultaneously reflecting the author’s skill in following the particular form of wood, but also in respecting the nature of the material. An advocate of the female body as a source of inspiration, the sculptor, revealing through sculpting the imagined form hidden under the layers of wood, gave the sculpture a rounded appearance with soft, fluid lines, and was able in the process to preserve the solidity of form and remain true to the idea of full form. Although not interested in depicting movement, which is implied by the very name of the sculpture, with this particular Caryatid, Stijović showed an unusual interest in depicting a body stopped in motion, as if performing some rhythmic movements or a soundless dance; this figure gains an additional dimension due to the light which does not rest even for a second, changing instead with every shift in the observer’s viewpoint, as if flowing down the refined curves of the nude. The sculptor himself said that in the case of the Caryatid he had, as usual, made three sketches: from the profile, from the back and from the front. The ballerina, Sonja Stanisavljević, friend of Nataša Bošković, posed for him and according to Stijović’s reminiscences from 1970, she was “the most beautiful young woman in Belgrade. I don’t know, if I have ever seen a more perfect creature, someone as beautiful as she was.”

Artist Biography

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.

Collections and Recognition

Narodni Muzej, Belgrade, Serbia
Museo del Novecento, Milan, Italy
Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection, Novi Sad, Serbia
Numerous private collections worldwide

risto stijović

1894 - 1974 , Montenegro

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: Modernist sculpture
Artists Who Influenced This Artist:
- Michelangelo Buonarroti
- Pablo Picasso
Date Of Birth: October 8, 1894
Date Of Death: December 20, 1974
Full Name: Risto Stijović
Nationality: Yugoslav, Serbian
Notable Artworks:
- Caryatid
- Dositej Obradović
Place Of Birth: Podgorica, Montenegro

risto stijović: The Full Collection

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Caryatid

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Artist Biography

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P508JH $12

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W849H $8

W940BG $15

W953PJ $8

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H24-SILVER $30

H36-GOLD $45

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Summary

Giclée / Art Print

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Reproduction Frame

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Protective Varnish

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$ 70

Collectible Description

Artist Biography

Risto Stijović: A Life in Sculpture

Early Life and Education