Figure 1.--Uroš Knežević mostly painted portraits, primarily adults, Serbian leaders and notables in Western clothing. We have found few portaits of children, possibly because Serbs in the 19th century we just beginning to adjust to Western art and customs. This is one of the rare portarits of a child. Marko T. Leko (Марко Т. Леко) was a notable Serbian scientist, chemist, professor and president of the Serbian Red Cross. He was born in Belgrade to a sucessful merchant family (1853). They could afforf professioanl portraits. Kneževi's portrait shows Marko wearing a belted blue tunic with black piping. We are not sure what the pins or flowes are on his chest. He has a frilly blouse collar and pantalttes--a throughly European styles showing an Austrian or French influence. He would have been about 4 years old if the the 1856 attribution is correct. The book he is holding suggests a slightly older boy.

Marko T. Leko (Марко Т. Леко) was a notable Serbian scientist, chemist, professor and president of the Serbian Red Cross. He was born in Belgrade to a sucessful merchant family (1853). They could afforf professioanl portraits. Kneževi's portrait shows Marko wearing a belted blue tunic with black piping. We are not sure what the pins or flowes are on his chest. He has a frilly blouse collar and pantalttes--a throughly European styles showing an Austrian or French influence. He would have been about 4 years old if the the 1856 attribution is correct. The book he is holding suggests a slightly older boy. The family could also aford to send Leko abroad for his education. He attended and graduated from Polytechnic school in Zurich, obtaining a doctoral degree in chemistry (1875). He published many papers and played a major role in the professionalisation of chemistry in Serbia. His work in analytical chemistry had two main interests: researching natural resources of Earth (mineral waters), and finding and improving new analytical methods. He was especially interested in chemical properties of natural spas and streams. He promoted spas in Obrenovac region. Leko was actively involved in the f Serbian Red Cross, holding various posts including president (1924). He had a large family. With his wife Danica (née Antula) he had 11 children. They were loving and dutiful parents. They dedicated much of their time to their children education: five of his sons became noted jurist (Dušan M. Leko), chemist (Aleksandar M. Leko), architect (Dimitrije M. Leko), general (Jovan Leko), banker and financier (Dragoljub M. Leko). His brother Dimitrije T. Leko was a renowned architect.

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Created: 12:52 AM 10/15/2019
Last updated: 12:52 AM 10/15/2019