Croatian-American group gifts two paintings to Museum of Arts and Crafts, Zagreb
- by croatiaweek
- in News
Dr. Dinko Prodrug and Miroslav Gasparović (Photo credit: MUO)
On Friday August 25 in Zagreb, Dr. Dinko Podrug of the National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation (NFCACF) and Miroslav Gasparović, director of the Museum of Arts and Crafts (MUO), finalized a donation agreement for two more baroque masterpieces by painters Jan Victors (1610-1679) and Leandro Bassano (1557-1622) to be exhibited in the Museum of Arts and Crafts (MUO).
The two paintings “Portrait of a Young Lady as Diana” by Kan Victors, and “Christ on the Mount of Olives” by Leandro Bassano are both extremely rare paintings of the baroque period. Dr. Podrug, a former psychologist from New York and currently an art collector, signed a similar donation agreement with Gasparović last year to donate Dalmatian artist Andrija Medulić Schiavone’s painting of the “The Virgin and Child,” to the MUO.
The gifting event took place in the extravagant salon in Gornji Grad, Gvozdanović Palace, along with a great presence of numerous guests and donors to the MUO. Director Gasparović thanked Dr. Podrug and NFCACF for once again making it possible for these paintings to be donated to the Museum, the City of Zagreb, and its citizens.
(Photo credit: MUO)
The museum’s collaboration with the NFCACF dates to 2017, when Dr. Podrug gifted Schiavone’s painting “The Virgin and Child” to the MUO after it was purchased in an auction. Director Gasparović mentioned that the paintings like Schiavone and other artworks donated, are “extremely important initiatives for Croatian cultural and art history, as it shows the connections between Croatian culture and Croats all over the world.”
The paintings will join along with the collection of many other artworks and paintings of old masters, Guercino Canaletto, Charles Le Brun, Guido Reni, Van der Heck and others. MUO also owns a painting by Giambattista Bassano, brother of Leandro Bassano, who painted “St. John the Baptist and Jesus.”
Jan Victor’s “Portrait of a Young Lady as Diana”
Jan Victor’s “Portrait of a Young Lady as Diana” (Photo credit: MUO)
Jan Victor was a Dutch painter from Amsterdam, and possibly a student of Rembrandt van Rijn in the 1630s or 1640s. He took on Rembrandt’s style and expanded on more theatrical and biblical scenes from the Old Testament. He even painted scenes from urban and village life by realistically depicting artisans, butchers, and common people. His work is viewed to be a valuable addition to the Dutch Golden Age through his incredible portraits, including the painting mentioned.
Leandro Bassano “Christ on the Mount of Olives”
Leandro Bassano “Christ on the Mount of Olives” (Photo credit: MUO)
The Italian painter, Leandro Bassano, like Victor, was a famous portraitist of the 17th century. Born to the famous painter Bassano del Grappa, he worked closely with Venetian artist Tintoretto.
He expanded Tintoretto’s style, his father’s brush techniques, and the newest styles emerging in Venice at the time. He was known for his unique brushstrokes and styles including, biblical portraits and large-scale paintings styles, depicted on the “Christ on the Mount of Olive.” He was also knighted by the Doge of Venice in 1595, where his signatures with his honorary title “Eques” have confused him with other painters throughout the centuries.
The painting collection of MUO houses over 3,000 exhibits of works of art, paintings, drawings, graphic designs, miniatures, etc. from the gothic period to the 1950s. Due to earthquake damage the museum is still undergoing renovations and is temporarily closed to the public.
Museum of Arts & Crafts Zagreb (Photo: I.Vinkovic/ Zagreb Tourist Board)
However, visitors to Zagreb have been allowed to gaze at the beautiful exterior and gardens of the museum, delighting the people of Zagreb and international visitors since 1880.
Mark Plavetić – NFCACF Officer on the Executive Committee
