Moma Markovich

Moma Markovich was born in Belgrade, Serbia in 1902. He graduated from École des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. He had an active career as artist, designing postage stamps for the Yugoslavian government, illustrating textbooks for school children and working as a freelance cartoonist. During the Second World War, after escaping from a Nazi labour camp in Austria, Markovich made his way to Italy where he continued painting and remained until after the war ended. 

He came to Canada in 1951. Four years later, Markovich was hired by the Ministry of Transportation – then the Department of Highways – as a junior draftsman. He eventually moved to the Art Section where he painted artistic renderings of transportation infrastructure across Ontario. Markovich spent hours researching his works, ensuring accurate historical detail. 

He created almost 200 artworks while working at the Ministry of Transportation, and after retiring from the ministry in 1970, he created a series of 55 artworks for the Ministry of Natural Resources. Moma died in 1977, at the age of 75.