Milivoj Uzelac
Ana Pavlova in Costume (Swan Lake), 1925
Watercolour, pastel, cardboard
50 × 35 cm
MG-986

Milivoj Uzelac, one of the most versatile and influential figures of Croatian interwar modernism, merges the elegance of drawing with the softness of watercolour modelling in „Ana Pavlova in Costume“. The portrait of the famous Russian ballerina, depicted in her iconic swan costume, is distinguished by refined lines and an almost sculptural sense of form. With her eyes closed and head gently tilted, the figure exudes introspection, grace, and a sense of elevated stillness, while the accentuated red lips introduce a striking focal point within the delicate chromatic palette.

This drawing reflects Uzelac’s virtuosity in draftsmanship and his enduring interest in figural representation, theatre, and contemporary aesthetics. Having developed a distinctive painterly language in Paris following his early expressionist phase in Prague and Zagreb, Uzelac continually explored the interplay between modernist innovation and classical tradition. In his work with paper media, especially pastel and watercolour, he demonstrated exceptional technical ease and a fine sensitivity to atmosphere, as seen in this composition that fuses precision in line with visual poetry.

Text: Lorena Šimić, Curator / Museum Educator © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb
Photo: Goran Vranić © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb