Zef Kolombi (1907-1949), painter, “Merited Painter” and “Merited Teacher”, passed away in Shkodër. He was born in Sarajevo, in the family of Gjon Kolombi from Shkodra. He took his first lessons in elementary school at the gymnasium in Shkodra. He set out to study painting in Italy, but after wandering for about two years among the hardships and misery of the time, without any support, he finally returned to Sarajevo, where he worked for several months with a local decorator, copying works of the classics. In 1928 he returned to Shkodër and, with the support of some relatives, who appreciated his talent for painting, secured a scholarship to study in Italy. In 1929 he enrolled in the Academy of Art in Rome. During his years of study, Zef Kolombi stood out for his special dedication to painting. In 1933, after finishing his studies, he started working as a drawing teacher at the “Normale” school in Elbasan. In 1941, he finally returned to Shkodër. Although he died at a young age, Zef Kolombi has left some beautiful works, which stand out from all the creations of that period in the Albanian art. Zef Kolombi stands out in Albanian painting for his tranquil landscapes. Zef Kolombi first exhibited his paintings at the National Exhibition in 1942. Then they were presented in almost all exhibitions, but the tranquil landscapes had the most beautiful and visible exposure when they became the property of the National Gallery of Arts, where they are still today. (In the photo: Zef Kolombi)
Text: Ferid Hudhri
Photo: © https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zef_Kolombi
Graphic processing: AHCF
