Vlaho Bukovac and Alexandre Cabanel "A historic encounter of pupil and teacher" – An Exceptional Exhibition at the Art Pavilion

In the Art Pavilion’s 120th anniversary year the central exhibition is dedicated to Croatia’s most famous painter, Vlaho Bukovac.

Vlaho Bukovac initiated the founding of the Art Pavilion, so an exhibition of his works is a fitting choice for a celebration of its anniversary year. As well as Bukovac’s works, works by his Parisian professor Alexandre Cabanel will also be shown. An interesting story connects the two artists. Bukovac met Alexandre Cabanel, an exceptionally respected painter and professor at the École des Beaux-Arts, and wanted to study painting under him. Cabanel was unable to accept him since his class was full. Bukovac agreed with Cabanel that he would paint a picture in a given time period and if Cabanel liked it he would fit him into his class. He painted the work “Hand”, the professor was delighted with it and accepted him into his class at the École des Beaux-Arts. The famous French painter played a major role in Bukovac’s artistic education and the exhibition will for the first time unite the “student” and the “teacher” and paint a clear picture for the public, for art experts and the media alike on how the “teacher” influenced the “student”. The exhibition will encompass masterpieces by Vlaho Bukovac as well as, through the exhibition concept by respected art historian Igor Zidić, telling the story of the time in which the Pavilion came into being – through cultural, social, sociological and political discourse. The exhibition is open from 3 October to 6 January 2019.