Ivan Meštrović

(Vrpolje, Croatia, 1883 – South Band, USA, 1960)

In 1905, he graduated from the Academy of Arts in Vienna, and then lived in Italy, Paris, London and Belgrade. In 1908, he left for Paris, and exhibited at major salons and galleries there. After 1945, he continued working abroad and in his country. In 1955, he left for the USA, the State of Indiana, where he taught at the post-graduate studies of the  Notre Dame University. The following year, he received the honorary doctorate at the  Columbia University in New York. In 1960l, elected for a member of the American Academy of Art and Literature. He was the full member of the Yugoslav Academy of Arts and Sciences. He won valuable recognitions, both at the country and abroad, for his opus.