Tomaž Kržišnik (1943-2023) - Zlata ptica

"Zlata ptica" (L'Uccello d'Oro) original and lyrical serigraphy by the renowned Slovenian artist Tomaž Kržišnik.

Details of the Work
Artist: Tomaž Kržišnik (1943–2023)
Golden Bird
Year of creation: Around 1971
Technique: Screen printing on high-quality paper
Print run: 1100 copies

Style: lyrical figurative expressionism, influenced by the Polish school of poster.

Dimensions: Prints in this series generally measure approximately 33.5 x 44 cm (image/page only; please verify the exact size of your copy).

Conditions: Excellent, with no tears or visible stains except for light spotting compatible with the age. Some creases are present as shown in the photos. The cardboard packaging is slightly crushed but intact.

The complete work 'Zlata ptica' (The Golden Bird) is a series of graphic illustrations created by Tomaž Kržišnik to accompany the Slovenian folk tale of the same name.

Composition: The complete series consists of seven separate graphic prints. Each print depicts a different and meaningful scene from the fairy tale.

Style and Technique: All prints were created around 1971 using the technique of serigraphy on paper. The artist employs a figurative expressionist style, characterized by bold and contrasting colors (blue, reds, vibrant greens) to evoke the magic and lyricism of the story, rather than a realistic illustration.

The entire work illustrates the fairy tale of a king and his three children, who seek to capture a golden bird that steals the golden apples from the royal garden. The visual narrative follows their adventurous journey, emphasizing themes of humility, courage, and the triumph of good over evil.
In addition to individual prints, the work has also been published in book format or in folders containing all the graphics.
Recognition: The series is a remarkable example of Slovenian post-war illustration and is featured in various museum collections, such as the Maribor Art Gallery.
Tomaž Kržišnik (1943–2023) was a versatile Slovenian artist, internationally recognized for his work as a painter, illustrator, graphic designer, and set designer.
Education: He studied at the Višja pedagoška šola di Lubiana and later obtained a master's degree in book illustration at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, Poland, from 1964 to 1968.
Career: He was a prolific artist who mastered blending painting, graphics, and illustration. He is known for his expressive and colorful style and for experimenting with various media, creating not only prints and paintings but also three-dimensional objects and puppets.
His works are exhibited in museums and galleries in Slovenia and internationally, such as the Muzej za arhitekturo in oblikovanje (MAO) and various art galleries, and are available on the auction market.
Heritage: He is considered a key figure in Slovenian graphic design after World War II and a master of illustration, capable of combining popular tradition with a modern aesthetic.