Klovićevi Dvori Gallery: Exhibition "Oton Iveković – Retrospective" Open until 11 June

A retrospective exhibition of one of the leading artists of Croatian modernity will present but also shed light on the talent of this versatile painter, who was particularly dedicated to historical painting.

The exhibition entitled "Oton Iveković – Retrospective", dedicated to the rich oeuvre of one of the leading artists of Croatian modernity, is available at the Klovićevi dvori Gallery until 11 June. Oton Iveković, who was born in Klanjec in Croatian Zagorje, is at the same time the most prolific and most prominent author of historical painting.

The entire life story of Oton Iveković (1869 – 1939) is permeated by painting, from his education to teaching as well as his rich artistic oeuvre. He attended school in Zagreb, Vienna, Munich and Karlsruhe, and after finishing taught drawing at a grammar school and at the Craft School in Zagreb. As of 1908 he was a lecturer at the Art School, which later became the Academy of Fine Arts. Although there were various motifs in his oeuvre, Iveković took special interest in history and historical national costumes and attempted to show them in a realistic and objective manner.  He painted scenes from the lives of families Zrinski and Frankopan and other historical figures as well as scenes from national history, with evident patriotic and romanticist enthusiasm. He also painted large wall paintings of folkloric, allegorical and religious content. During the World War I he was a military painter.

This versatile artist also worked as a scenographer and costume maker and as an art commentator, travel writer and polemicist.

Iveković made more than a thousand paintings. After his death, his work fell into oblivion. He was rediscovered and given public attention owing to a retrospective exhibition held at the Art Pavilion in 1995. This exhibition showed the variety and quality of Iveković’ works. The aim of the current exhibition at Klovićevi dvori is to confirm this and to provide further contribution.

This is also the aim of the additional programme “Ku(l)t gledanja” (the angle or cult of view in Croatian) whose rounds tables, public discussions, workshops and promotions will accompany the exhibition and give further insight into the art of Oton Iveković.

There is a possibility of prior scheduling of the tour of the exhibition, both in Croatian and in English.