During the Zagreb Spring Salon of the 1920s, he participated with Vilko Gecan, Marijan Trepše and Vladimir Varlaj as the Group of Four.
Uzelac spent much of his professional life in France, and is best known for his portraits and interior scenes with bohemian characters.
At the age of 16, Uzelac passed the entrance exam for the College for Arts and Crafts, and spent two years studying under Oton Iveković[3] In 1915, during the First World War, Uzelac moved to Prague where he worked in the studio of the painter Jan Preisler, while attending classes at the Academy.
Uzelac and his fellow painters made Prague an important reference for Croatian modern art.
[6] During the Prague-Zagreb years (up to 1923), Uzelac's work reflected the spirit of war-torn Austro-Hungary, with a strong social content and move to return to nature.
Images depict a bohemian revelry with a cast of interesting characters - artists, writers, singers, actors, dancers, circus performers - especially girls and young women.
This painting shows strong influences of Miroslav Kraljević and Édouard Manet, and demonstrates a new maturity in Uzelac's work.
[2] After his permanent move to France (1923–1977), Uzelac produced an extensive number of works in a wide range of techniques: oil, tempera, lacquer, gouache, chalk, ink, and graphics.
He created many decorative panels for private homes and public spaces, stage sets, posters, illustrations and ceramics.
Amongst his vast output were a string of great works in which references to Matisse and Derain were executed in Uzelac's own personal style.