Ambroz Testen

He was born in village Loka pri Mengšu near Kamnik in northern Slovenia. He moved to Croatia as a teenager to become a Franciscan. His monk name was Benedict.^[4]

Before World War I he lived in a monastery on Košljun, a tiny island near Krk. He fought on Italian Front in Tirol and Duchy of Styria.^[4] After World War I, in 1920, he deserted and escape to Dubrovnik where he took the name Ambroz.^[1]

He lived two years in Cavtat monastery, where he learned painting from Vlaho Bukovac,^[2] famous Croatian painter who had his workroom there.^[1][4]

He also learned watercolor painting from Maksimilijan Vanka.^[2] In 1929 he moved to Pelješac, where he got to know Celestin Medović.^[4]

From 1939 to 1961 he lived in a monastery on island Krapanj then in St. Bernardine monastery in Kampor on island Rab where he painted a lot of his famous works. Since 1989. there is a permanent exhibition of his works there. After World War II, he shortly lived in Šibenik.

He died in Zadar on 7 January 1984.^[2]