Ivan Simonetti, Portrait of Matija Mrazović, c. 1875

Ivan Simonetti
Portrait of Matija Mrazović, c. 1875
oil on canvas
80 x 54 cm
MG-69

Ivan Simonetti (Rijeka, 1817 – Venice, 1880) was the most prominent 19th-century painter from Rijeka, active not only in his hometown but also in Trieste and Venice. In Rijeka, he created a significant collection of watercolours, miniatures, and oil paintings. His oeuvre includes historical and biblical compositions, though he is especially renowned for his portraits and portrait miniatures, which showcase extraordinary artistic mastery. As was typical for many Italian artists of his time, Simonetti studied in Venice, where he established himself as a highly accomplished and influential painter. After completing his studies, he quickly gained recognition among the social and political elites of Rijeka and Venice, including figures such as Bartol Benedikt Zmajić (Bakar, 1813 – Rijeka, 1888), the Prefect of the County of Rijeka, and Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer (Osijek, 1815 – Đakovo, 1905). Simonetti’s portraiture is highly eclectic, incorporating elements of Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and the Biedermeier style.
The portrait of Matija Mrazović is one of the most important works from the final decade of Simonetti’s career. It depicts a middle-aged man in a partially turned pose, his gaze serious and fixed in the distance. The man’s face and eyes are particularly striking, showcasing the precision and skill of the artist’s hand. He is dressed in a black coat and a white shirt with a bow tie. The composition is dominated by brown hues, lending the portrait a serious yet dignified character. Cold accents feature prominently, stripping away the lyrical quality characteristic of Simonetti’s earlier portraits. The simple, neutral background focuses attention on the subject and his psychological expression.
In the last decade of his career, Simonetti abandoned the Romantic and Biedermeier influences of his earlier work, increasingly adopting a realist approach. While his influence was strongest in his hometown of Rijeka, it extended well beyond, leaving a significant legacy marked by continuous artistic evolution.

Text: Luciana Fuks, trainee curator at 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

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