Painter. Martin Benka was a 20th-century Slovak painter and illustrator, who is credited as the founder of Modernist Slovak painting. He was awarded the title of "National Artist." He made his home in Prague for 30 years, producing folk art. Using mostly neutral shades of paint, he was a prolific artist painting rural landscapes with gardens and his country's peasants with colorful, ornate clothing. He also produced black ink on tan paper illustrations of his country's peasants. He taught painting and many prominent artists were his students. A full-view statue of Martin Benka is located in Bratislava. His country house was made into the Martin Benka Museum, in accordance with his will. His paintings are being sold at auctions in the 21st century for $80,000 to $137,000. He also authored his memoirs and books on his travels. To celebrate his 80th birthday in 1968, the art historian Ľudmila Peterajová wrote that "he was undoubtedly the first Slovak painter who deliberately looked for features, shapes and colors that would distinguish this ethnic group and country from others."
Painter. Martin Benka was a 20th-century Slovak painter and illustrator, who is credited as the founder of Modernist Slovak painting. He was awarded the title of "National Artist." He made his home in Prague for 30 years, producing folk art. Using mostly neutral shades of paint, he was a prolific artist painting rural landscapes with gardens and his country's peasants with colorful, ornate clothing. He also produced black ink on tan paper illustrations of his country's peasants. He taught painting and many prominent artists were his students. A full-view statue of Martin Benka is located in Bratislava. His country house was made into the Martin Benka Museum, in accordance with his will. His paintings are being sold at auctions in the 21st century for $80,000 to $137,000. He also authored his memoirs and books on his travels. To celebrate his 80th birthday in 1968, the art historian Ľudmila Peterajová wrote that "he was undoubtedly the first Slovak painter who deliberately looked for features, shapes and colors that would distinguish this ethnic group and country from others."
Bio by: Linda Davis
