Vilko Gecan

Vilko Gecan was a renowned Croatian painter who is celebrated for his contribution to the Croatian expressionism movement. Born on February 6, 1894, in the city of Sisak, Croatia, Gecan developed a passion for art at a young age. He attended art school at the Arts and Crafts School in Zagreb and later went on to Paris to further his studies.

Gecan had a successful career as an artist, and some of his remarkable works include "Cinik," which exemplified the Croatian expressionism movement. Additionally, he was a long-time contributor to Zenit, an avant-garde magazine that was published in his local community. His devotion to the arts led him to be a part of The Prague Four, which also consisted of Milivoj Uzelac, Marijan Trepše, and Vladimir Varlaj, of the Zagreb Spring Salon in the 1920s.

Despite his successful career, Gecan faced a significant setback with his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in his late 30s, which limited his ability to create art. Nevertheless, Gecan remained dedicated to his craft and continued to paint for as long as he could.

Gecan's personality was characterized by tenacity, determination, and a love for his work. He was driven by his commitment to develop his skills as a painter and was influenced by the works of other famous painters like the renowned impressionist Claude Monet.

Before becoming a famous painter, Gecan faced several difficulties and challenges. He served in World War I and became a prisoner of war in Italy, which forced him to put his artistic aspirations on hold. However, this experience exposed him to new cultures and perspectives, which later influenced his creative expression.

Vilko Gecan married his beloved wife, whom he met while in Paris. Sadly, little is known about his family, apart from his parents, with whom he lived in Australia for three years during his early childhood.

Gecan was linked to other significant figures in the arts industry, such as his fellow artists and colleagues Milivoj Uzelac, Marijan Trepše, Vladimir Varlaj, and Adolph Alexander Weinman, who also worked as a sculptor. Gecan's lifelong dedication to art has had a significant influence on the Croatian expressionism movement and the art world at large.