Janoš Mesaroš

Janoš Mesaroš, born on January 30, 1943, in Novi Bečej, Serbia, is a renowned Serbian and Yugoslav painter of naïve art. He began painting in 1970 after joining the art group “Selo,” having previously been a professional football player until a severe spinal injury in 1969 redirected his life toward art.

Mesaroš is celebrated for his poetic depictions of the Pannonian plain, often featuring horses, farms, and surreal landscapes. His paintings are known for their emotional depth, vibrant color palette, and symbolic imagery, such as fragments of Vojvodina’s fertile land rising into the sky like flying carpets—symbols of preserved natural beauty. His style blends naïve art with elements of surrealism and ecological awareness.

Over the course of his career, he has held around 270 solo exhibitions and presented more than 7,000 paintings worldwide. His work has been exhibited in over 125 countries across all continents. Oxford recognized his artistic achievements by including him in its book of notable citizens of Serbia.

Today, Janoš Mesaroš lives and works in Belgrade, continuing to create art that evokes both personal and universal themes through the lens of his unique visual language.