Yanko Brayovitch was born in Gostilje, Kingdom of Montenegro (now Montenegro) on 12 March 1889. A sculptor trained in Vienna, he settled in London, England, exhibiting regularly at the Royal Academy of Arts in the 1930s. Known for realist bronze and marble portraits, he was commissioned to make works in the UK and abroad.
Sculptor Yanko Brayovitch was born on 12 March 1889 in Gostilje, Kingdom of Montenegro (now Montenegro). He began his artistic training in Europe, studying at the High Academy of Sculpture in Vienna, where he mastered classical techniques that shaped his realist style. Brayovitch was also politically engaged, advocating for Montenegrin independence. Notably, in 1919 he published a leaflet titled The Voice of Montenegro in Detroit, USA.
Following the First World War, Brayovitch settled in London, England, establishing a studio at Studio Dukaijn, in Boundary Road, St. John's Wood. Here, he specialised in portrait sculpture, primarily executing busts in marble and bronze, which earned him considerable recognition within the British artistic community. His portraits were distinguished by remarkable realism and emotional depth, bringing him numerous high-profile commissions. During the 1930s, Brayovitch exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy of Arts, while living at Kildare Terrace in Bayswater. In 1933, his sculpture Red Indian Chief (now in the Tate collection) was featured in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. The following year, he presented a celebrated bust of noted painter, Sir John Lavery RA, which was subsequently shown at the Glasgow Art Institute, underscoring his growing acclaim across Britain. In 1935, Brayovitch exhibited once again at the Royal Academy, showcasing a bronze statuette titled Tenacity.
Brayovitch's reputation extended internationally. In 1928, he travelled to Canada to sculpt busts of Brigadier-General Frederick ‘Fred’ Burnham and his wife, commemorating Burnham’s assistance to Montenegro during the First World War. Although these sculptures were unfortunately lost in a fire in 1955, they had already solidified Brayovitch's international standing. Another significant Canadian commission, a bronze bust of Vancouver’s mayor Gerald Grattan McGeer, was installed at Vancouver City Hall in 1948, further enhancing his legacy abroad.
Brayovitch consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to capture subtle emotional and psychological nuances, as seen in his intimate marble bust (circa 1925) of his companion, and in the bronze bust commemorating educator, George C. Earle. The latter was commissioned around 1949 by author Eleanor Farjeon and later donated to King Alfred School in Hampstead. Throughout his career, Brayovitch maintained strong emotional and ideological ties to Montenegro, intertwining his artistic pursuits with expressions of national identity and pride. His dedication to his heritage enriched his professional reputation, earning him respect both within artistic circles and among the Montenegrin diaspora community. Yanko Brayovitch died in Vancouver, Canada, in 1948. In the UK public domain, his work is held in the Tate Collection.
Consult items in the Ben Uri archive related to [Yanko Brayovitch]
Publications related to [Yanko Brayovitch] in the Ben Uri Library