Page 26 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

24  INTRODUCING CRO A TIA

Art and Artists in Croatia

For centuries Croatian art has combined elements from eastern
and western Europe. The coast was ruled by Venice for 400 years,
and between the Middle Ages and the 17th century, Croatia
was in regular contact with the other side of the Adriatic. Italian
artists came to the islands to work, and the Dalmatians crossed
the sea and brought Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance
styles back to their country. After the expulsion of the Turks
at the end of the 17th century, many churches were rebuilt in
the Baroque style, and acquired rich ornamentation. The
20th century saw the advent of Naive painting, an important
artistic trend, and sculptor Ivan Meštrović was confirmed as Maria Banac, sculpture by
Croatia’s most famous contemporary artist (see p163). Ivan Meštrović

lived in the 13th century. His
Sculpture name appears on the door of
The art of sculpture in Croatia the cathedral in Trogir, which
has ancient origins and may he started in about 1240 and
have been inspired by the which was later completed
local stone, used to construct by other artists. This complex
some of the most important masterpiece has columns,
Roman monuments in Pula arches, sculpted relief figures
and Split, which became and rich decoration. It is
models for future generations Wooden panel by Andrija Buvina in possible to discern scenes
of Adriatic sculptors. Split cathedral from the life of Christ such as
Sculpture and stone the nnunciation, the Flight to
carving reached the height 13th century. The great door Egypt, and the Martyrdom on
of expression with the of the cathedral of his native Golgotha, while other sculptures
Romanesque style. Dating city is testament to his skill. represent the months of the
from this time are the This masterpiece from 1214 year. The artist’s expressive skill
cathedral doors of Trogir and consists of 28 wooden panels is revealed in the figures of
Split, the rose windows of depicting scenes from the Adam and Eve in particular.
Zadar and Rab, the capitals Gospels of the life of Christ, Juraj Dalmatinac
in the cloisters in Dubrovnik and uses simple lines allied
and Zadar, and much church to a wealth of detail. Juraj Dalmatinac, also known
statuary. The technical skills as Giorgio Orsini, was an
of the Renaissance period Master Radovan ambassador for Dalmatian art,
are documented in Šibenik The sculptor Master Radovan which was greatly influenced
cathedral, with masterpieces was of Dalmatian origin and by Venice. The artist was born in
by Juraj Dalmatinac, Nikola Zadar in about 1400 and died in
Firentinac and Andrija Aleši. 1475. He was active in Dalmatia
The stonemasons should also and in Italy as a sculptor and
be remembered, particularly an architect. The
those of Korčula. Decades of cathedral of St
skilled work went into Korčula James in Šibenik
cathedral and the masons’ work (see pp110–11),
can be seen in hundreds of to which he
other Croatian towns and cities. contributed, is
Sculpture again reached a regarded as a
peak in the 20th century with masterpiece
Ivan Meštrović, the chief figure of the Croatian Face by
in a group of great artists which Renaissance. Dalmatinac in
included Antun Augustinčić. Dalmatinac the cathedral
sculpted the faces of Šibenik
Andrija Buvina
on the upper part
All that is known of this of the base of the apses and also
sculptor is that he was born The door of the cathedral of Trogir by the statues of Adam and Eve at
in Split and lived in the Master Radovan either side of the Door of Lions.

024-025_EW_Croatia.indd 24 20/10/16 12:31 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Feature template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.5)
Date 15th October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm