Ivan Meštrović (; 15 August 1883 – 16 January 1962) was a
Croatia
Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a country in Central Europe, Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herze ...
n and
Yugoslav sculptor, architect, and writer. He was the most prominent modern
Croatian sculptor and a leading artistic personality in contemporary
Zagreb
Zagreb ( ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the ...
. He studied at Pavao Bilinić's Stone Workshop in
Split and at the
Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, where he was formed under the influence of the
Secession
Secession is the formal withdrawal of a group from a Polity, political entity. The process begins once a group proclaims an act of secession (such as a declaration of independence). A secession attempt might be violent or peaceful, but the goal i ...
. He traveled throughout Europe and studied the works of ancient and
Renaissance
The Renaissance ( , ) is a Periodization, period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and sur ...
masters, especially
Michelangelo
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (6March 147518February 1564), known mononymously as Michelangelo, was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet of the High Renaissance. Born in the Republic of Florence, his work was inspir ...
, and French sculptors
Auguste Rodin
François Auguste René Rodin (; ; 12 November 184017 November 1917) was a French sculptor generally considered the founder of modern sculpture. He was schooled traditionally and took a craftsman-like approach to his work. Rodin possessed a u ...
,
Antoine Bourdelle and
Aristide Maillol. He was the initiator of the national-romantic group Medulić (he advocated the creation of art of national features inspired by the heroic folk songs). During the First World War, he lived in emigration. After the war, he returned to Croatia and began a long and fruitful period of sculpture and pedagogical work. In 1942 he emigrated to Italy, in 1943 to Switzerland and in 1947 to the United States. He was a professor of sculpture at the
Syracuse University
Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York, United States. It was established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been nonsectarian since 1920 ...
and from 1955 at the
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac (known simply as Notre Dame; ; ND) is a Private university, private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1842 by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a Cathol ...
in South Bend, Indiana.
Most of his early works of symbolic themes were formed in the spirit of the Secession, some of which, like the
Well of Life, show impressionist restless surfaces created under the influence of Rodin's naturalism, and the second, reviving national myth, become stylized monumental plastics (Kosovo cycle, 1908-1910). Before the First World War, he left pathetic epic stylization, expressing increasingly emotional states, as evidenced by the wooden reliefs of biblical themes made in a combination of Archaic, Gothic, Secessionist and Expressionist styles. During the 1920s and 1930s, the classical component prevailed in his works. In this period, he created a number of public monuments of strong plastic expression, pronounced and legible shapes (
Gregory of Nin and
Marko Marulić in Split,
Andrija Medulić,
Andrija Kačić-Miošić and
Josip Juraj Strossmayer
Josip Juraj Strossmayer, also Štrosmajer (; ; 4 February 1815 – 8 April 1905) was a Croatian prelate of the Catholic Church, politician and benefactor (law), benefactor. Between 1849 and his death, he served as the Bishop of Đakovo, Bishop ...
in Zagreb,
Pobednik in
Belgrade
Belgrade is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Serbia, largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin, Pannonian Plain and the Balkan Peninsula. T ...
,
Svetozar Miletić in Novi Sad and
''The Bowman'' and ''The Spearman'' in Chicago). Portraits take a special place in his opus.
Meštrović achieved works of strong plastic value in the construction-sculptural monuments and projects, mostly with central layout (the Mausoleum of the Račić family in
Cavtat
Cavtat (, ) is a village in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County of Croatia. It is on the Adriatic Sea coast south of Dubrovnik and is the centre and the main settlement of Konavle municipality.
History
Antiquity
The original city was founded by the ...
, the Mausoleum of the Meštrović family in
Otavice, the
Meštrović Pavilion in Zagreb,
Monument to the Unknown Hero in Belgrade). He also designed a memorial church of King Zvonimir in Biskupija near
Knin
Knin () is a city in the Šibenik-Knin County of Croatia, located in the Dalmatian hinterland near the source of the river Krka (Croatia), Krka, an important traffic junction on the rail and road routes between Zagreb and Split, Croatia, Split. ...
inspired by old Croatian churches, a representative family palace, today the
Ivan Meštrović Gallery, and reconstructed renaissance fortified mansion Crikvine-Kaštilac in Split.
Life
Early life
He was born in
Vrpolje,
Slavonia
Slavonia (; ) is, with Dalmatia, Croatia proper, and Istria County, Istria, one of the four Regions of Croatia, historical regions of Croatia. Located in the Pannonian Plain and taking up the east of the country, it roughly corresponds with f ...
, and spent his childhood in the small
Dalmatia
Dalmatia (; ; ) is a historical region located in modern-day Croatia and Montenegro, on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea. Through time it formed part of several historical states, most notably the Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Croatia (925 ...
n village of
Otavice, the native place of his parents in the
Dinaric Alps
The Dinaric Alps (), also Dinarides, are a mountain range in Southern Europe, Southern and Southcentral Europe, separating the continental Balkan Peninsula from the Adriatic Sea. They stretch from Italy in the northwest through Slovenia, Croatia ...
. His father was a poor peasant and
sheep-breeder. At the age of sixteen he was accepted as an apprentice by Pavle Bilinić, a master of a
stonemasonry
Stonemasonry or stonecraft is the creation of buildings, structures, and sculpture using rock (geology), stone as the primary material. Stonemasonry is the craft of shaping and arranging stones, often together with Mortar (masonry), mortar ...
in
Split.
His artistic skills were improved by studying the monumental buildings in the city and his education at the hands of Bilinić's wife, who was a high-school teacher. Soon, they found a mine owner from
Vienna
Vienna ( ; ; ) is the capital city, capital, List of largest cities in Austria, most populous city, and one of Federal states of Austria, nine federal states of Austria. It is Austria's primate city, with just over two million inhabitants. ...
who paid for Meštrović to move there and be admitted to the
Academy of Fine Arts where he studied under
Edmund von Hellmer and
Otto Wagner. Quickly he had to learn
German from scratch and adjust to the new environment, but he persevered and successfully finished his studies.
[Kečkemet, Duško, Ivan Meštrović, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York 1976 unpaginated]
In 1905 he had his first exhibit with the
Secession Group in Vienna, noticeably influenced by the
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau ( ; ; ), Jugendstil and Sezessionstil in German, is an international style of art, architecture, and applied art, especially the decorative arts. It was often inspired by natural forms such as the sinuous curves of plants and ...
style. His work quickly became popular, even with the likes of
Auguste Rodin
François Auguste René Rodin (; ; 12 November 184017 November 1917) was a French sculptor generally considered the founder of modern sculpture. He was schooled traditionally and took a craftsman-like approach to his work. Rodin possessed a u ...
who once said that Meštrović is the greatest phenomenon among sculptors and even greater sculptor than he was.
Because of that popularity he soon earned enough for him and his wife (since 1904), Ruža Klein, to travel to more international exhibitions.
In 1908 Meštrović moved to
Paris
Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...
and the sculptures made in this period earned him international reputation. At this time, Ivan was a friend of the cubist painter
Jelena Dorotka (''Helene Dorotka von Ehrenwall''). In 1911 he moved to
Zagreb
Zagreb ( ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the ...
, and soon after to
Rome
Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...
where he received the grand prix for the
Serbia
, image_flag = Flag of Serbia.svg
, national_motto =
, image_coat = Coat of arms of Serbia.svg
, national_anthem = ()
, image_map =
, map_caption = Location of Serbia (gree ...
n Pavilion on the
1911 Rome International Exhibition. There his work was praised as being strong and monumental compared to the "soft and ineffectual" pieces exhibited by his contemporaries,
Hugo Lederer,
Anton Hanak, and
Franz Metzner. He remained in Rome, spending four years studying
ancient Greek
Ancient Greek (, ; ) includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the classical antiquity, ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (), Greek ...
sculpture.
Meštrović became a supporter of Yugoslavism and Yugoslav identity after he traveled to Serbia and became impressed with Serb culture.
[Ivo Banac. ''The national question in Yugoslavia: origins, history, politics''. Cornell University Press, 1984. Pp. 204-205.] He created a sculpture of Serbian folk-legend hero
Prince Marko for the International Exhibition of Art (1911), which was exhibited along with 73 sculptures at the pavilion of
Kingdom of Serbia
The Kingdom of Serbia was a country located in the Balkans which was created when the ruler of the Principality of Serbia, Milan I of Serbia, Milan I, was proclaimed king in 1882. Since 1817, the Principality was ruled by the Obrenović dynast ...
. When asked about the statue, Meštrović replied "This Marko is our Yugoslav people with its gigantic and noble heart".
Meštrović wrote poetry speaking of a "Yugoslav race".
Those who knew Meštrović's views referred to him as "The Prophet of Yugoslavism".
He also participated in 1911 at the
Turin International
The Turin International was a world's fair held in Turin in 1911 titled ''Esposizione internazionale dell'industria e del lavoro''. It received 7,409,145 visits and covered 247 acres.
Summary
The fair opened on 29 April, was held just nine y ...
.
First World War and Yugoslavia
At the onset of
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, after the
assassination in Sarajevo, Meštrović tried to move back to Split via
Venice
Venice ( ; ; , formerly ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto Regions of Italy, region. It is built on a group of 118 islands that are separated by expanses of open water and by canals; portions of the city are li ...
, but was dissuaded by threats made against him because of his political opposition to the
Austro-Hungarian authorities. During the war he travelled to present exhibits in
Paris
Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...
,
Cannes
Cannes (, ; , ; ) is a city located on the French Riviera. It is a communes of France, commune located in the Alpes-Maritimes departments of France, department, and host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival, Midem, and Cannes Lions Internatio ...
,
London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
and in Switzerland. He was a founding member of the
Yugoslav Committee.
He was the first artist of Croatian origin to exhibit his work at the
Victoria & Albert Museum in London, in 1915.
[, euromuse.net; accessed 19 September 2016.]
After World War I he moved back home to the newly formed
Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes
The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was a country in Southeast and Central Europe that existed from 1918 until 1941. From 1918 to 1929, it was officially called the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, but the term "Yugoslavia" () has been its colloq ...
and met the second love of his life, Olga Kesterčanek, whom he married shortly thereafter. They had four children: Marta, Tvrtko, Maria and Mate, all of whom were born in
Zagreb
Zagreb ( ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the ...
, where Ivan and Olga settled in 1922. He was a contemporary and friend of
Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla (;["Tesla"](_blank)
. ''Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary''. ; 10 July 1856 – 7 ...
.
Meštrović and his family would later spend the winter months in their mansion in Zagreb and the summer months in a summer house he built by the end of the 1930s in Split. He became a professor and later the director of the
Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb, and proceeded to build numerous internationally renowned works as well as many donated chapels and churches and grants to art students.
By 1923 he designed the mausoleum for the Račić Family Memorial Chapel in
Cavtat
Cavtat (, ) is a village in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County of Croatia. It is on the Adriatic Sea coast south of Dubrovnik and is the centre and the main settlement of Konavle municipality.
History
Antiquity
The original city was founded by the ...
, also known as Our Lady of the Angels. He also created a set of statues for a never-built Yugoslav national temple that would have been erected in
Kosovo
Kosovo, officially the Republic of Kosovo, is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe with International recognition of Kosovo, partial diplomatic recognition. It is bordered by Albania to the southwest, Montenegro to the west, Serbia to the ...
to commemorate the 1389
Battle of Kosovo.

Meštrović sculpted numerous sculptures commissioned by the
Karađorđević dynasty, especially
Alexander I of Yugoslavia
Alexander I Karađorđević (, ; – 9 October 1934), also known as Alexander the Unifier ( / ), was King of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes from 16 August 1921 to 3 October 1929 and King of Yugoslavia from 3 October 1929 until his assassinati ...
. Among the orders of King Alexander are sculptures of a sphinx,
Miloš Obilić,
Marko Kraljević, the hero of the Kosovo myth Srđa Zlopogleđa, sculptures of female counterparts to Kosovo's heroes, as well as a self-portrait of Meštrović. Most of the commissioned sculptures had the idea of an integral Yugoslav nation as ideological background. Today, the works are mostly located within the
royal compound in Dedinje. Meštrović had a role in the constitution of Yugoslav national identity.
He continued to travel to post his exhibits around the world: he displayed at the Brooklyn Museum in
New York in 1924, in
Chicago
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
in 1925, he even travelled to
Egypt
Egypt ( , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country spanning the Northeast Africa, northeast corner of Africa and Western Asia, southwest corner of Asia via the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to northe ...
and
Palestine
Palestine, officially the State of Palestine, is a country in West Asia. Recognized by International recognition of Palestine, 147 of the UN's 193 member states, it encompasses the Israeli-occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and th ...
in 1927. In 1927 he entered a design for the coins of the
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State (6 December 192229 December 1937), also known by its Irish-language, Irish name ( , ), was a State (polity), state established in December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921. The treaty ended the three-ye ...
, and though his design arrived too late for consideration it was adopted in 1965 as the seal of the
Central Bank of Ireland.
Second World War
During the
April War in 1941 Meštrović was living in Split. After being warned by novelist and Independent State of Croatia (NDH) minister
Mile Budak that the Croatian authorities could not guarantee his safety in Split, he moved to Zagreb in September 1941. Meštrović and painter
Jozo Kljaković were arrested by the
Ustaše
The Ustaše (), also known by anglicised versions Ustasha or Ustashe, was a Croats, Croatian fascist and ultranationalist organization active, as one organization, between 1929 and 1945, formally known as the Ustaša – Croatian Revolutionar ...
in Zagreb on 7 November 1941, ostensibly due to the regime's fears that the two would emigrate. He eventually served three and a half months in the Savska Cesta prison. With help from archbishop
Aloysius Stepinac and subsequently the
Vatican
Vatican may refer to:
Geography
* Vatican City, an independent city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy
* Vatican Hill, in Rome, namesake of Vatican City
* Ager Vaticanus, an alluvial plain in Rome
* Vatican, an unincorporated community in the ...
he was released, on condition that he travel to Venice to attend the
Independent State of Croatia
The Independent State of Croatia (, NDH) was a World War II–era puppet state of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy (1922–1943), Fascist Italy. It was established in parts of Axis occupation of Yugoslavia, occupied Yugoslavia on 10 April 1941, ...
pavilion at the
Venice Biennale
The Venice Biennale ( ; ) is an international cultural exhibition hosted annually in Venice, Italy. There are two main components of the festival, known as the Art Biennale () and the Venice Biennale of Architecture, Architecture Biennale (), ...
. From there he relocated to Rome, where he stayed and worked at the
Pontifical Croatian College of St. Jerome. He was sponsored here by Fra
Dominik Mandić, and during his time in the city was received by
Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII (; born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli; 2 March 18769 October 1958) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2 March 1939 until his death on 9 October 1958. He is the most recent p ...
. In July 1943, Meštrović secured a visa to Switzerland through NDH diplomat
Stijepo Perić and moved there. Not all of his family managed to escape — his first wife Ruža died in 1942 and many from her
Jew
Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, religion, and community are highly inte ...
ish family were murdered in
the Holocaust
The Holocaust (), known in Hebrew language, Hebrew as the (), was the genocide of History of the Jews in Europe, European Jews during World War II. From 1941 to 1945, Nazi Germany and Collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy ...
. Later, his brother Petar was imprisoned for publicly advising Ivan not to return to the country. Looking to create a more favorable image of the newly established
socialist regime in
Yugoslavia
, common_name = Yugoslavia
, life_span = 1918–19921941–1945: World War II in Yugoslavia#Axis invasion and dismemberment of Yugoslavia, Axis occupation
, p1 = Kingdom of SerbiaSerbia
, flag_p ...
, Marshal
Josip Broz Tito
Josip Broz ( sh-Cyrl, Јосип Броз, ; 7 May 1892 – 4 May 1980), commonly known as Tito ( ; , ), was a Yugoslavia, Yugoslav communist revolutionary and politician who served in various positions of national leadership from 1943 unti ...
's government invited Meštrović to return to the country after World War II ended, but he refused to do so. His decision was final after he received a letter from a high-ranking communist official warning him that he would be given a prominent position such as at a
national academy
A national academy is an organizational body, usually operating with state financial support and approval, that co-ordinates scholarly research activities and standards for academic disciplines, and serves as a public policy advisors, research ...
and expected to display complete obedience to the
Communist Party. In 1946,
Syracuse University
Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York, United States. It was established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church but has been nonsectarian since 1920 ...
offered him a professorship, and he moved to the United States. He became the first artist of Croatian origin to exhibit his work at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, colloquially referred to as the Met, is an Encyclopedic museum, encyclopedic art museum in New York City. By floor area, it is the List of largest museums, third-largest museum in the world and the List of larg ...
in
New York City
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
in 1947.
From 1951 he began making contributions to the Croatian emigrant journal ''
Hrvatska revija'', which would later publish his memoirs. He was awarded the
American Academy of Arts and Letters
The American Academy of Arts and Letters is a 300-member honor society whose goal is to "foster, assist, and sustain excellence" in American literature, Music of the United States, music, and Visual art of the United States, art. Its fixed number ...
'
Gold Medal
A gold medal is a medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture.
Since the eighteenth century, gold medals have b ...
for sculpture in 1953. President
Dwight D. Eisenhower personally presided over the 1954 ceremony granting Meštrović American citizenship. He went on to become a professor at the
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac (known simply as Notre Dame; ; ND) is a Private university, private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1842 by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a Cathol ...
in 1955.
At the end of January 1951 Meštrović joined the American campaign for the release of Archbishop Stepinac from prison.
Later years
Before he died, Meštrović returned to Yugoslavia one last time to visit with the imprisoned Cardinal
Stepinac and with Tito. At the request of various people from his homeland he sent 59 statues from the United States to Yugoslavia (including the monument of
Petar Petrovic-Njegos), and in 1952 signed off his Croatian estates to the people of Croatia, including more than 400 sculptures and numerous drawings. Upon his return he vowed to his colleague painter Jozo Kljaković that he would not return to the country as long as the communists were in power.

Two of his children predeceased him. His daughter Marta, who moved with him to the U.S., died in 1949 at the age of 24. His son Tvrtko, who remained in Zagreb, was 39 when he died in 1961.
In 1960 he suffered a minor stroke which affected his eyesight. In 1961, his memoir, ''Uspomene na političke ljude i događaje'' (Reminiscences of Political People and Events), was published by the Croatian emigrant publishing house ''
Hrvatska revija'' (''Croatian Review'') in
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, controlled by the government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southwest of the Río de la Plata. Buenos Aires is classified as an Alpha− glob ...
, Argentina. In 1969, they were published by ''
Matica hrvatska'' in
Zagreb
Zagreb ( ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the ...
.
After creating four clay sculptures to memorialize his children, Meštrović died in early 1962, aged 79, in
South Bend, Indiana. His funeral mass was celebrated by the
bishops of Šibenik, Josip Arnerić, and
bishop of Split-Makarska Frane Franić. His remains were interred at a
mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the burial chamber of a deceased person or people. A mausoleum without the person's remains is called a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type o ...
in his childhood home of
Otavice. Communist Yugoslav authorities had originally promised the Meštrović family that his remains could lie in repose at the cathedrals in Zagreb and Split. Once his remains had arrived in Yugoslavia, however, the authorities reneged and did not allow this to take place. After communist officials interfered during his funeral, his son
Mate Meštrović sharply criticized the level of religious freedom in the country.
His son, Mate, is a Croatian-American diplomat, university professor and editor at
''Time'' magazine, who served as a lieutenant in the US Army PsyWar. Later, he served as president of the Croatian National Congress and lobbied on behalf of Croatian self-determination in
Washington, D.C., Western Europe and Australia, and was a deputy in the
Croatian Parliament
The Croatian Parliament () or the Sabor is the Unicameralism, unicameral legislature of Croatia. Under the terms of the Constitution of Croatia, Croatian Constitution, the Sabor represents the nation, people and is vested with legislative power. ...
, a member of Croatia's delegation to the
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe (CoE; , CdE) is an international organisation with the goal of upholding human rights, democracy and the Law in Europe, rule of law in Europe. Founded in 1949, it is Europe's oldest intergovernmental organisation, represe ...
, and the
Inter-Parliamentary Union
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU; , UIP) is an international organization of national parliaments. Its primary purpose is to promote democratic governance, accountability, and cooperation among its members; other initiatives include advancing g ...
. He also served as an ambassador in the Foreign Ministry.
Meštrović's grandson
Stjepan is an American sociology professor at
Texas A&M
Texas A&M University (Texas A&M, A&M, TA&M, or TAMU) is a public university, public, Land-grant university, land-grant, research university in College Station, Texas, United States. It was founded in 1876 and became the flagship institution of ...
and author of several books.
Reputation and legacy
His sculptural strengths are manifested in the lyrical and dramatic expression of the human body. Critics in Europe and the United States ranked him highly in the first half of the 20th century. He is one of the most prominent Croatian artists whose work has at times gained worldwide recognition.
Professor Miljenko Jurkovic of the
University of Zagreb
The University of Zagreb (, ) is a public university, public research university in Zagreb, Croatia. It is the largest Croatian university and one of the oldest continuously operating universities in Europe. The University of Zagreb and the Unive ...
states he:
:is the most renowned modern Croatian sculptor. His works combine various influences, and they are both monumental and poetic. He sculpted in stone, bronze and wood, covering a diverse range of themes – spreading to religious, portraits and symbolic themes.
Historians Wojciech Roszkowski and Jan Kofman report: "Meštrović's sculpture of the 1389
Battle of Kosovo Field won first prize at an international exhibition in 1911, and critics acclaimed him the greatest sculptor of modern times."
Auguste Rodin
François Auguste René Rodin (; ; 12 November 184017 November 1917) was a French sculptor generally considered the founder of modern sculpture. He was schooled traditionally and took a craftsman-like approach to his work. Rodin possessed a u ...
's evaluation was often quoted: "Meštrović was the greatest phenomena among the sculptors" of his time.
Alonzo Lansford, editor of ''
Arts Magazine
''Arts Magazine'' was a prominent American monthly magazine devoted to fine art. It was established in 1926 and last published in 1992.
History Founding
Launched in 1926 and originally titled ''The Art Digest,'' it was printed semi-monthly from ...
'' in New York City, reviewed the Mestrovic show of 1947 at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, colloquially referred to as the Met, is an Encyclopedic museum, encyclopedic art museum in New York City. By floor area, it is the List of largest museums, third-largest museum in the world and the List of larg ...
. He wrote: "It is therefore singularly significant that he is almost unanimously revered by American sculptors of all schools as one of the greatest living sculptors."
Several streets in
Serbia
, image_flag = Flag of Serbia.svg
, national_motto =
, image_coat = Coat of arms of Serbia.svg
, national_anthem = ()
, image_map =
, map_caption = Location of Serbia (gree ...
are named after him.
In 2013, Meštrović was named
honorary citizen of the Croatian town
Drniš
Drniš is a town in the Šibenik-Knin County, Croatia. Located in the Dalmatian Hinterland, it is about halfway between Šibenik and Knin.
History
The name Drniš was mentioned for the first time in a contract dated March 8, 1494. However, the ...
.
Work
Meštrovic created over fifty monuments during his two years in Paris (1908–1910).
The theme of the
Battle of Kosovo particularly moved him, prompting one of his first great works, the
Paris Kosovo Monument, as well as other works in bronze and stone. Much of his early work commemorated such epic moments from Slavic history, as he attempted to foster the pan-Slavic cause in his native country.
With the creation of the first Yugoslavia, Meštrović's focus shifted to more mundane topics such as musical instruments or chapels. He particularly oriented himself towards religious items, mostly made of wood, under artistic influence from the
Byzantine
The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire centred on Constantinople during late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Having survived the events that caused the fall of the Western Roman E ...
and
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is an architectural style that was prevalent in Europe from the late 12th to the 16th century, during the High Middle Ages, High and Late Middle Ages, surviving into the 17th and 18th centuries in some areas. It evolved f ...
. The most renowned works from his early period are the ''Crucifix'' and ''Madonna''; later he became inspired by
Michelangelo Buonarroti and created a large number of stone reliefs and portraits. The
Croatian dinar featured Meštrović's work ''History of the Croats''.
Meštrović's most famous monuments include:
* ''Canadian Phalanx'', a marble relief, 284 Wellington Street in
Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...
* ''
Gregory of Nin'' in Split
* ''
Josip Juraj Strossmayer
Josip Juraj Strossmayer, also Štrosmajer (; ; 4 February 1815 – 8 April 1905) was a Croatian prelate of the Catholic Church, politician and benefactor (law), benefactor. Between 1849 and his death, he served as the Bishop of Đakovo, Bishop ...
'' in Zagreb
* ''
Monument of Gratitude to France'' in Belgrade
* ''
Monument to the Unknown Hero'', Avala, Belgrade
* ''
Victor monument'' on
Kalemegdan Fortress in
Belgrade
Belgrade is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Serbia, largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin, Pannonian Plain and the Balkan Peninsula. T ...
* ''
Svetozar Miletić'' in
Novi Sad
Novi Sad ( sr-Cyrl, Нови Сад, ; #Name, see below for other names) is the List of cities in Serbia, second largest city in Serbia and the capital of the autonomous province of Vojvodina. It is located in the southern portion of the Pannoni ...
(1939)
* ''
Nadežda Petrović'' in
Čačak
Čačak ( sr-Cyrl, Чачак, ) is a List of cities in Serbia, city and the administrative center of the Moravica District in central Serbia. It is located in the West Morava Valley. According to the 2022 census, the city itself has a population ...
* ''
Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla (;["Tesla"](_blank)
. ''Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary''. ; 10 July 1856 – 7 ...
'' in Zagreb
* ''History of Croats'' in
Zagreb
Zagreb ( ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, north of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the ...
and in the
Royal Compound,
Belgrade
Belgrade is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Serbia, largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin, Pannonian Plain and the Balkan Peninsula. T ...
(two copies made)
* ''
Mausoleum of Njegoš'' on
Mount Lovćen in Montenegro
* ''The Spring of Life'' in Zagreb
* ''
Domagoj's Archers'' in Zagreb (Meštrović Foundation)
*
''The Bowman'' and ''The Spearman'' in Chicago
* ''
Martin Kukučín'' in the Medical Garden, Bratislava, Slovakia
* ''
Ion I. C. Brătianu'' in Bucharest, Romania (24 noiembrie 1937)
* ''
King Carol I'' in Bucharest, Romania (1939) - this monument was destroyed by communists after 1948
*
''Pietà'' in the
Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame
* ''Relief of Cardinal
Stepinac with Christ'',
Zagreb Cathedral
The Zagreb Cathedral (officially the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saints Stephen and Ladislav), is a Catholic cathedral in Kaptol, Zagreb. It is the second tallest building in Croatia and the most monumental sacra ...
* ''
St. Jerome the Priest'',
Washington, D.C.
* ''
Christ and the Samaritan Woman'' and ''
St. Luke'' (1957), Notre Dame
* ''Crucifix'' and ''Young Christ Teaching in the Temple'' (1957),
Keenan and Stanford Halls, Notre Dame
* ''Crucifix'' at
St. Joseph Cathedral (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Galleries displaying his work include:
*
Ivan Meštrović Gallery in Split, created after his major donation in 1950, which includes 86 statues in marble, stone, bronze, wood and gypsum, 17 drawings, and also eight bronze statues in the open garden, 28 reliefs in wood in the ''kaštelet'' and one stone crucifix
* Ivan Meštrović Memorial Gallery created in 1973 in
Vrpolje, his birthplace, with 35 works in bronze and plaster stone
*
Raclin Murphy Museum of Art at the
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac (known simply as Notre Dame; ; ND) is a Private university, private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1842 by members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a Cathol ...
has many of his works. He was artist-in-residence at Notre Dame and resided in South Bend, Indiana, until his death.
*
National Museum of Serbia holds sculptures and monuments (a total of 45 works) including ''Miloš Obilić'', ''Kosovo girl'', ''Srđa Zlopogleđa'', ''Kraljević Marko'', and ''Widow''
Louisiana Arts and Science Museum (LASM)(retrieved January 29, 2016) in Baton Rouge has a large collection of his sculpture and drawings.
*
Church of Sts. Cyril & Methodius and St. Raphael (New York City)
He painted in oil (''Moja majka''
y mother 1911).
Written works
He wrote essays (''Moji razgovori s Michelangelom''
y Interviews with Michelangelo 1926), memoirs about the public and political life of his time (''Uspomene na političke ljude i događaje''
emories of Political People and Events 1969) and short stories (''Ludi Mile''
razy Mile 1970).
* ''
Stepinac - duhovni heroj'' (Stepinac - Spiritual Hero),
Hrvatska revija, Buenos Aires 1956.
* ''Uspomene na političke ljude i događaje'' (Memories of Political Persons and Events), Hrvatska revija, Buenos Aires 1961, reprinted by
Matica hrvatska in 1969.
Gallery
File:Split D81 3118 (26844342339).jpg,
File:Split D81 3106 (38588189802).jpg,
File:Split D81 3111 (37903081574).jpg,
File:Split D81 3114 (38588197392).jpg,
File:Split D81 3117 (37732549365).jpg,
File:Split D81 3108 (37903147594).jpg,
References
Notes
Bibliography
* Adamec, Ana. (1984). ''Ivan Meštrović 1883-1962'', SANU, Belgrade.
*
Ali, Abdullah Yusuf. (1915). ''Meštrović and Serbian Sculpture'', Matthews, London.
* Casson, Stanley. (1929). ''Some Modern Sculptors'', Oxford University Press, London
*
Ćurčin, Milan. (1919) ''Ivan Meštrović - A Monograph'', Williams & Norgate, London.
* Goode, James M. (1974). ''The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington D. C.'', Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.
* G. Bozidar/N. Gattin (1987) Ivan Meštrović, Zagreb
*
* Kečkemet, Duško. (1970). ''Ivan Meštrović. The Only Way To Be An Artist Is To Work'', Spektar, Zagreb.
* Kraševac, Irena. (2002). ''Ivan Meštrović i secesija Beć-Muenchen-Prag 1900-1910'',
HAZU, Zagreb.
* Schmeckebier, Laurence E. (1959). ''Ivan Meštrović – Sculptor and Patriot'', Syracuse University Press, Syracuse.
Further reading
*
*
External links
* Official Website b
Meštrović Museums of Croatia* Official Website b
* Inventory of Meštrović Papers at the
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mestrovic, Ivan
1883 births
1962 deaths
People from Vrpolje
People from the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia
Croatian sculptors
Expatriates from Austria-Hungary in France
Yugoslav emigrants to the United States
Syracuse University faculty
University of Notre Dame faculty
Art Nouveau sculptors
Symbolist sculptors
Members of the Vienna Secession
American male sculptors
Members of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Academy of Fine Arts Vienna alumni
19th-century Croatian sculptors
20th-century Croatian people
20th-century Croatian sculptors
20th-century American sculptors
20th-century male artists
Yugoslavism
Croatian anti-communists
Catholic sculptors