[1] He is often ranked alongside his contemporaries, Paja Jovanović and Uroš Predić.

[2] Krstić finished his education in Munich, Germany,[3] where he began his early works under the influence of German realism up until 1883.

Some significant works of this early period include The Drowning Maiden, Anatomist, and The Gospel Writer.

In his later years, Krstić began painting a number of iconostases in Čurug and Niš, working with architect Mihailo Valtrović, of which include the controversial Death of Prince Lazar.

[5] Krstić painted more than 50 works based on Serbian folk art and traditional clothing.