Works of a sculptural genius you must see
Ivan Meštrović - Biography
Ivan Meštrović, the best Croatian sculptor, was born on 15 August 1883 in Vrpolje near Slavonski Brod. When he was sixteen, a master from Split recognized his talent and took him as an apprentice, and his wife, who was a teacher in high school, helped him with school. Soon, they found a mine owner from Vienna who financed his move to Vienna, where he completed his studies.
He had his first exhibit in 1905 in Vienna with the Secession Group, where you can see the notable influence of the Art Nouveau. His work soon became very popular. Over the years, he moved to different big cities abroad where his work gained increasing international attention and prestige. In the International Art Exhibition, held in 1911 in Rome, he won the first prize for sculpture.
He also worked as a professor at the Higher School of Arts in Zagreb, at the Syracuse University in the United States and the University of Notre Dame. In 1959, after 17 years of absence, Meštrović briefly visited Croatia, because of an agreement with the new authorities on the treatment of his estate and artistic legacy.
He died at the age of 79, in South Bend (USA). He was buried in the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in Otavice, the so-called Meštrović family mausoleum.
The most famous works in Zagreb
Povijest Hrvata (History of the Croats) (1932) - this is the statue, which is deeply impregnated in the memory of the Croatian people. It displays mother as a guardian of identity and heritage of Croatia. Her character is also on the coat of arms of the University of Split and in front of the Zagreb Vice-Chancellor's office, and the statue is located in front of the University of Zagreb. It represents a unique symbol of the homeland in the form of the Mother. Meštrović shows his homeland as a directional, dignified and strong woman to whom the heritage, tradition, and identity are entrusted for safe keeping.
Image credit: Mateo Carev
Seljaci (Peasants) (1907)– it is a relief carved into the facade of the house Popovic overlooking Jelacic Square. The Popovic was a trader and ten body figures in painted ceramics are divided into three segments symbolizing Popovic's trade with wheat grain and colors. It is also the only monument that is made of painted ceramics.
Image credit: Mateo Carev
Udovica (Widow) (1908) – The Sculpture 'Widow' is an example of the heroic monumentalism, and it was a part of the Vidovdan Temple that was never completely realized. In 1985, the sculpture was placed in the sculpture park of the Academy of Fine Arts.
Josip Juraj Strossmayer (1924) - a monument of the famous Bishop and educator from Đakovo. It is located in front of the southern facade of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts. The seated figure of Bishop Strossmayer was made of bronze and set on a high granite pedestal.
The statue of Nikola Tesla (1956) - another work, a statue of Nikola Tesla, is located in Zagreb on the corner of Masaryk and Preradović streets. Tesla and Meštrović were friends, they both went to the United States from Yugoslavia. Tesla admired Meštrović's talent and asked the sculptor to do his sculpture.
This sculpture is classified as the statue because of its three-dimensionality, and because of the experience that is complete only if the statue is walked around and looked from all sides. Sculpture gives the static and calm due to the sitting position, relaxed right leg that is almost lying on the floor and the bent head, which is propped up with his left hand. The whole sculpture stands on a square plinth, on which is written the author's name and some other information about the sculpture.
Image Credit: Mateo Carev
Žena s prekriženim rukama (Woman with arms crossed) (1918) – Women were always a special inspiration for Meštrovič, and he was specifically dedicated to the theme of the female nude. The sculpture was installed in 1983 in front of the Privredna Banka, on the 100th anniversary of the sculptor's birth.
Majka doji dijete (Mother breastfeeding) (1930) - Since 1940 it has been located in front of the School of Public Health Andrija Štampar. It shows a mother who is holding a child on her left knee as she is breastfeeding. A motive of motherhood plays a substantial role in the Mestrovic opus.
Image credit: Mateo Carev
Andrija Mendulić (1932) – The monument is made of sandstone, and it was set in 1932 at the King Tomislav Square in Zagreb, in front of the Art Pavilion. The sculpture shows the standing figure of a painter with a palette in his hand, his head leaning to the right looking at an object.
Zdenac života (Fountain of Life) (1905) - a monument erected in 1912 on the square Maršala Tita in front of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb. This wreath of monolithic bodies surrounding the mirror surface of water source achieves such a creative power and artistic quality that even Meštrović may not have exceeded it by the end of his artistic creation. Naked bodies are rhythmically lined up around the well, the water source. The bodies appear to be alive, frozen in motion. The actual proportion and parts of the face and body are shown realistically. Their surface is smooth and rounded. There's no right angles, sharp transitions or geometric forms. Everything is rounded and soft. The liveliness of their naked bodies and the force of facial expressions show the desire for life and the pleasures of life. Enjoying the pleasures of life is particularly pronounced in couples kissing and hugging. Their movements show tenderness and peace of mind. As a contrast, there is an old man, at the end of his life, looking longingly at the well, a symbol of life.
Image credit: Ante Rajčić
Ruđer Bošković - From 1937 - 1940 Meštrović is working on the enormous monument of Ruđer Bošković, which was set up in 1956 in the park of Ruđer Bošković Institute in Zagreb. This bronze statue is placed on a marble pedestal. Ruđer Bošković is shown sitting, propped on the globe and he looks like he is thinking. Expressive profile and the modeling of arms and legs make a dynamic composition.
It should also be noted that in 1938 with a large exhibition "Half a Century of Croatian Art“ the Croatian Association of Artists was officially opened, and it was built in Meštrovic's preliminary conceptual design. It is popularly called the Mestrovic Pavilion.
The Art Pavilion is currently holding the Exhibition „Rodin in Mestrovic's Zagreb“. The French sculptor Auguste Rodin was a close friend of Ivan Mestrovic, and this is a return visit from Paris Rodin Museum, where three years ago an exhibition of the great Croatian sculptor Ivana Mestrovic was organized at the Festival of Croatian culture in France.
There is also Mestrovic Atelier which preserved the authentic atmosphere of life and work of Ivana Mestrovic. It is located on Zagreb's Upper Town, close to the church of St. Mark. You can visit it every day from 10h to 18h, and for more information you should visit their web page: http://www.mestrovic.hr/muzeji/atelijer-mestrovic/atelijer-mestrovic.html
If you are an art lover, you must visit this extraordinary works by one of the most famous sculptors not just in Croatia but around the world. Ivan Meštrović was a genius of his time, and he left a great legacy to the citizens of Zagreb – don't miss it!
Header image credit: Zagreb Tourist Board, G. Vranić
Author: Nina Klarin