Croatian art

Since the 11th c. Croatia has been an important centre of art in South Eastern Europe. The arts flourished mainly during the Medieval and the Renaissance periods, but other epochs also have given the world the immortal works of Croatian art.

The most valued of all art works of Croatia are the mosaics of the Euphrasian basilica in Porec (6th c.), which are recognized among the best examples of Byzantine art in the world. One more Croatian treasure is the Renaissance Chapel (15th c.) of Trogir, a work of Alesi and Firentinac. Its staggering 150 human stone figures and heads make it the most valuable gallery of sculpture and reliefs of the early Renaissance period.

Croatian national art is famous for lace-making tradition of Pag Island. Scrupulous and fastidious work of women from this unique place has been especially appreciated by European aristocrats. Maria Theresia, Austrian Empress in the 18th c., traveled to the island of Pag just to see lace-makers at work and even invited three of them to Vienna. The oldest preserved examples of Croatian laces date back to 16th c. and are showcased in the Benedictine convent of St. Mary in Zadar.

Not many people know that Giulio Clovio (1498-1578), the last great master of the classical European miniature, was of Croatian background. El Greco used to be his disciple and even portrayed him in one of his major works. The famous galleries of Italy, France, the UK, the USA, and Austria are adorned with his works. Another great name in the world art history of of the same period is Andrija Medulic (~1500-1563), an artist born in Zadar or Nadin, who started his career in Sibenik and moved to Italy.

In the early 20th c., Croatian painting assumed a new European art form. The break-away from the schemes and stereotypes of academics was made by E. Vidovic, whose even more radical followers were J. Racic and M. Kraljevic, the creators of works crucial for the further Croatian art development. T. Krizman, a representative of the Viennese Succession, was unrivalled in the realm of graphics. The Medulic Art Group, the most prominent member of which was sculptor I. Mestrovic, also made a great contribution to the development of art by their earnest attempts to express national myths and legends in their works. Abstract art successfully gained popularity thanks to the art group 'Exat 51' organized in 1951. This group particularly stood out in naive art, which soon got international recognition.

There is plenty of astonishing works to be seen in numerous art galleries scattered all over Croatia. Regardless of your Croatian destination, you will necessarily be stunned by the beauty and originality of Croatian art.