Distinctive of the collected works of the Maribor-based painter and graphic artist Ivan Kos are the depictions of landscapes, portraits, scenes with emphasized social themes, and the vedutas of Maribor. All display elements of Realism, which sometimes intertwines with Expressionism and New Objectivity. During the 1930s, an era marked by crisis and social unrest, Ivan Kos reached the peak of his creativity. In this period, he began working on the Beggars cycle in ink on paper. The drawings in the cycle are frequently praised for the simplicity and honesty of the portrayed emotions, which capture the viewer’s attention. The naturalistically depicted Beggar, with his thoughtful face, detailed wrinkles and untamed hair, seems melancholic. His emphasized, folded hands attract the viewer’s eye, serving as an effective narrative tool. They challenge our knowledge about the beggar - was he captured in the moment while begging, thinking or praying? The beggar’s character and experience are conveyed through his facial expression and gestures, making the artwork seem intense, despite the calmness of the image. The drawing was created with rapid strokes, and it speaks of the beggar’s distress that marks his daily life. Through the Beggars cycle, Kos also revealed a part of himself, particularly his sensitivity for the underprivileged and his caring a concern for them. Through their ordinary appearance and calm demeanour, they mirror expression and narration.
(Barbara Lešnik, in the framework of the Creative Path to Knowledge project, Virtual Legends; The investment is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union from the European Social Fund)