Maksimilijan Vanka (Zagreb, 11. svibnja 1889. - Vallorta (Meksiko), 2. veljače 1963.), hrvatski slikar i kipar

• http://www.korculainfo.com/maksimilijan-vanka/
• http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9567/2/maxo-vanka,-a-famous-c...
• http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9567/1/Maxo-Vanka-a-famous-Cr...
• http://www.wiki-dveri.info/wiki/Maksimilijan_Vanka
• http://www.zagrebancija.com/hr-fokus/pravo-na-sretno-djetinstvo-ovi...
• http://articles.mcall.com/1998-09-28/news/3206362_1_art-appreciatio...
• http://zkahlina.ca/cro/?p=10302
• https://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maksimilijan_Vanka
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maksimilijan_Vanka
• https://www.jutarnji.hr/globus/arhiva/tajan-porijekla-maksa-vanke/4...

Croatian painter and muralist Maximilian (Maxo) Vanka (Zagreb 1889 - Mexico 1963) completed his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb, where later he became professor of painting. He also studied at the Brussels Academy of Fine Arts, Brussels, Belgium.

As a young student he exhibited at an international show in the Belgian capital and in 1914 won the gold medal of King Albert at this event, for his Bistricki proštenjari (Marija Bistrica fairgoers) with beautiful Croatian folklore motives.

Vanka exhibited throughout Europe, and obtained many honours, among them Palme Academique of the French Legion of Honor. Having moved to the USA in 1934, he became noted for his beautiful church murals, for example in St. Nicholas Croatian Church, Pennsylvania. Some american specialists consider these murals the best church frescos in the USA. He depicts not only traditional Catholic scenes and symbols, but also the lives and spirituality of the Croatian immigrant community.

Vanka founded the art department at Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture in New Britain, Pennsylvania. After his tragic death (drowned in the Pacific) a bird sanctuary was established in his honor at the Washington Crossing Nature Education Center.

He studied at the Royal Academy of Beaux Arts from which he graduated in 1914 with first prize and gold medal.

He later worked in Paris, London, Amsterdam and various cities in Italy.

Maximillein Varda was acclaimed the leading painter of Yugoslavia in 1934 by many critics. He has painted portraits of distinguished people, kings and murals for churches.

He drowned in 1963 in Mexico.

Source

The Unbroken Chain - Neil Rosenstein (1990) Volume 1, Chapter 11, page 100, G 14.1