Born in
Karlovac,
Croatia, Karas was sent to be educated in
Italy in 1838. While in
Rome, he drew inspiration from
biblical and religious themes, painting
Mother with Moses on the river bank. While in Italy he developed a love for music and learned to play the
flute and the
guitar while composing songs in both Italian and Croatian. He briefly stayed with
bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer in
Đakovo, but left soon after his suicide attempt. Still suffering from depression and living in poverty, Karas committed suicide by drowning in the
Korana river in his native
Karlovac. ==Gallery==