Ivan Meštrović
(1883 – 1962)
Portrait of Mrs. P. (Ada Pavičić), 1935
casting, bronze
57 x 31 x 30 cm
MG-800
Ivan Meštrović is the most prominent Croatian sculptor of the first half of the 20th century who has, during his lifetime, achieved worldwide fame and acclaim. He studied sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna from 1901 to 1905, and during his formative years he was influenced by the prevailing atmosphere of the Vienna Secession, having himself become its most prominent representative in the medium of sculpture. His artistic, professional and public work exerted significant influence on his coevals, the younger generation of sculptors and the birth of Modernism in Croatia.
After the representative national cycle, Meštrović became increasingly preoccupied with religious and intimate themes, especially female figures and portraits executed with elegant Art Nouveau gesture, such as the portrait of his then wife Ruža Meštrović from 1915, a masterpiece of his portrait sculpture. He models the portrait busts of young de Spalatin sisters, Carmen (1914) and Ada (1915), in a similar manner.
Ada is sculpted in bronze two decades later, and the previous melodious gesture and Art Nouveau stylisation is now juxtaposed with a realistic portrait of a woman, with a narrowly cut and freely modelled bust and dynamic wavy hair. Ada Pavičić’s physiognomy is recognisable. Her face is modelled delicately and softly, with accentuated details and a pensive, yet resolute facial expression and downcast gaze, a prominent nose, a fuller round chin and high forehead. The locks of her combed hair are styled at the nape in a low, voluminous bun.
Text: Tatijana Gareljić, museum consultant of the National Museum of Modern Art © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb
Translated by: Robertina Tomić
Photo: Goran Vranić © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb