Julius Zarand

Artist Bio: Julius Zarand (1913-2011)

Julius Zarand was born in Hungary to an aristocratic family. His father was a General in the Hungarian army during the First World War. Julius received a classical education, and following graduation, he entered the Royal Academy of Fine Art in Budapest. He was an outstanding student and won a scholarship to the Hungarian Collegium in Rome, where he pursued post-graduate studies. At the completion of his studies, Julius became an assistant professor at the Royal Academy in Budapest. His talent was recognized by receiving many important portrait commissions from well-known figures in Hungarian society. In 1938, the Prime Cardinal of Hungary commissioned Julius to paint the official portrait of Pope Pius the XII for the Hungarian Government.

During the War, Julius served in an anti-aircraft regiment in the Hungarian army and served on the Russian Front. His unit retreated in front of the Russian advance, and he was eventually taken prisoner by the American armed forces. Upon release, Julius formed a business partnership and established a carpet-making business in Munich, which supplied the American high command with carpets for their headquarters.

In the early 1950’s, Julius immigrated to Canada, and his talents as a portrait painter were quickly recognized. He painted the portraits of a number of distinguished clients, including Lord Thompson of Fleet, Cardinal Leger, Cardinal McGuigan, and many other prominent figures. In 1956, Julius joined the staff in the Fine Arts Department at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. He retired in 1965 to pursue painting full-time.

Julius had many important one-man shows in both Canada and the United States, including exhibitions in galleries in Boston, Mass.; Norfolk, in Japan. At this time he painted portraits of Ray Charles (for the American Red Cross), of Walter P. Chrysler III (heir to the Chrysler automotive fortune), Sir John Thompson (Prime Minister of Canada), and Lady Bannerman, among others.

In the 1960’s, the Italian Academy of Fine Arts awarded Julius both the Gold Medal and the coveted Golden Centaur Award for his distinguished contributions to art.