From Rab to Boston the extraordinary journey of Bartolomeo’s altarpiece

Prof. Potočnjak and Prof. Španjol-Pandelo in front of the “newly-found” restored original Vivarini Altarpiece at MFA Boston

Barbara and Saša grew up on the Croatian island of Rab. Both living close to the Benedictine convent of St. Andrew the Apostle in the old town of Rab, learned early in their childhood about the Bartolomeo Vivarini Polyptych and the path it took from Rab to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA).

Fast forward several decades, and they are both prominent scholars at the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Associate Prof. Barbara Španjol-Pandelo, PhD, as an art historian, and Associate Prof. Saša Potočnjak PhD, as an philologist.

They collaborated for years on various research projects with their research about the Polyptych bringing them to Boston.

Noticing that the Renaissance Society of America (RSA) conference hosted a panel on “Venice in Boston,” they submitted their research on Reconstructing the Journey: The Vivarini Altarpiece’s Path from St. Andrew’s Convent in Rab to Boston and presented their findings at the conference that took place March 20–22, 2025.

It turns out that about the same time, the ladies dug deep into the various manuscript sources to reconstruct the polyptych’s “life” in the convent, the MFA focused on the second restoration of the original altarpiece, which it received as a gift in 1901. 

Frederick Ilchman, MFA’s curatorial chair for Art of Europe and the Mrs. Russell W. Baker Curator of Paintings, worked with his conservation colleagues on restoring the Bartolomeo Vivarini altarpiece Dead Christ with the Ascension and Saints. 

The Vivarini research team with MFA curator and Friends of Croatia representative in from of the Bartolomeo’s Altarpiece at MFA.

“I am delighted to meet the Croatian team with so much knowledge –-from the altarpiece’s role within the Rab community and the Benedictine church, and its departure from the female monastic community—to their passionate, personal connections to our treasured masterpiece,” said Ilchman.

“Based on the initial exchange of information, I am hopeful that we can continue the research together to tell the story of this extraordinary work and its journey to the MFA.”

Following  MFA’s welcome, there was a discussion about potential collaboration between the MFA and the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Vivarini’s Rab research group, from the Medieval Adriatic Heritage Research Center in Rijeka.

The MFA and the Rab team exchanging ideas

Croatian Scholars’ Emotional Reconnection to the Rab’s Beloved Original Altarpiece

“We’ve been enamored with Bartolomeo’s Altarpiece story from early childhood and have since explored the medieval artistic tradition focusing on the Vivarini workshop on the island of Rab,” said Prof. Španjol-Pandelo.

“Since the sale, the Benedictine Convent created a replica of the altarpiece, with some changes from the original, and while I’ve seen the photos of the restored altarpiece, to be able to see the restored original in its full glory, is a true dream come true, particularly as we were told the restoration story by the MFA’s experts who just completed its conservation a few years ago.”

Prof. Potočnjak remembers conversations with the family members about her great-grandfather praying in front of the original altar in the Church of St. Andrews.

“Investigating circumstances surrounding the sale and departure of Bartolomeo’s altarpiece from the Benedictine convent, and most importantly the personal connection with the nuns whom I worked with for a long time in convent archives, is a reminder that despite the global relevance of this masterpiece, the passion for research came from within my family and faith,” said prof. Potočnjak.

The Renaissance Society of America (RSA) conference brings together thousands of scholars from around the globe, welcoming the broad range of activity in Renaissance studies today.

Founded in 1954 to promote the study of the world during the Renaissance, the society’s annual conferences occur in changing cities within North America and Europe.

Prof. Potočnjak and Prof. Španjol-Pandelo presenting the Vivarini journey research at the RSA Conference

After the presentations, there was a productive discussion where the participants and the MFA team expressed interest in exploring the journey of the altarpiece from Rab to Boston, particularly in relation to the Quincy Adams Shaw documentations. Shaw was one of the prominent American art collectors associated with Venetian art.

The Exchange of Expertise with MFA via the Boston-based Croatian Organization

One of the key connectors in this collaboration was the Boston-based New England Friends of Croatia, a non-profit organization focused on creating awareness about Croatia and exchanges between New England and Croatia.

The organization was informed about the Vivarini presentation by Žana Matulić Bilač, a professor at the Art Academy of Split, and a conservator-restorer at the Croatian Conservation Institute, who frequently collaborates with Barbara Španjol-Pandelo. 

“Given the prominence of MFA’s cultural impact in Massachusetts, and its focus on bringing people together and revealing connections, we are now exploring how to establish an ongoing relationship between the Croatian community in the area and the Museum,” said Mirena Bagur, president of New England Friends of Croatia.

“It was a delight to watch the collaboration synergy blossom between the Croatian scholars and the MFA’s team. The Bartolomeo’s Altarpiece, its journey to date, and additional research are a great springboard to strengthen ties between professional communities in Croatia and Massachusetts.”

The MFA’a restoration team (Ms. Abigail Hykin and Ms. Lydia Vagts) welcomes the Vivarini team to the Restorarion Lab displaying the gilding process of the restored masterpiece at the MFA.

Ties with the Boston Croatian Community

Prof. Predoević Zadković, Prof. Potočnjak and Prof. Španjol-Padelo exploring Boston

In addition to the professional presentation, the Boston Croatians organized a conversation for both adults and children at the Croatian School of Boston.

Introducing the team, Andrea Katić Bruno, educational director of the Croatian School of Boston, introduced the art historian Assistant. Prof. Petra Predoević Zadković, PhD., the director of the elementary school Trsat in Rijeka to adapt the discussion to the children.

The Rab ladies are welcomed by the Boston’s Croatian community with Irena Matulić, board member of NE Friends of Croatia and cofounder of Croatian School of Boston, and Andrea Katić Bruno, educational director of the Croatian School of Boston.

Rapski muštaćoni cookies 

Of note is that the Croatian community in Boston has several members from Kvarner,  including a few specifically from Rab.  In fact, Mrs. Jasminka Dinić Matić has welcomed the Rab team and introduced the Croatian community to the „rapski muštaćoni” cookies. 

Mustachies from Rab is a delishes recipe originating in Rab including almonds, chocolate, cinnamon on nutmeg. 

Author: Mirena Bagur, MBA, is the President of the New England Friends of Croatia, and Co-Founder of Croatian Premium Wine Imports, Inc., www.croatianpremiumwine.com, online store shipping over 120 indigenous Croatian wines to most US states. She was born and educated in Croatia.  

Always up for adventure, after college years in Zagreb, Croatia, Mirena traveled around the world and settled in Boston, Massachusetts, where she developed a career in global marketing.  

While passionately promoting Croatia, including wine education, Mirena is thankful for her parents who instilled in her appreciation for the Croatian community, history and culture, for her children who love the Croatian culture, but lovingly mock her accent, and her husband who is her partner in crime.

Mirena Bagur