Review article
https://doi.org/10.34075/sb.63.2.1
Saints in Ivan Meštrović’s artistic work
Ivana Grabić
orcid.org/0009-0002-7334-5563
Abstract
In his artistic work, Meštrović created an extremely large number of works of art with saints as a theme. We have divided those saints thematically into Old Testament saints, New Testament saints and saints of the Catholic Church. Among them there are great spiritual figures that are also role models for spiritual life. In his depictions, he mainly follows Christian iconography, and when he omits or emphasizes one iconographic element more than some others, he does so in order to emphasize the uniqueness and meaning of a particular saint. Reflecting on the reasons for the creation of works from this group, we come to the conclusion that a great number of the works were created as orders by church dignitaries, while artistically more valuable sculptures within this group were created due to the existential situation in which the artist found himself. In the sculpture of Job from 1946, who cries out for God’s presence in his pain and suffering, he depicted his own sorrow and the pain he felt in prison, unjustly accused and separated from his loved ones. In his reflections on the suffering and pain of Old Testament and New Testament characters, he sought consolation and hope for getting out of slavery and living in freedom. Thus, with their perseverance and faith, Moses and Job brought comfort and awakened faith in a new life to Meštrović. And the two Old Testament characters became leaders in Meštrović’s journey to find meaning and comfort, which he would find in the figure of Christ the Sufferer and Redeemer.
Keywords
Ivan Meštrović; saints; spiritual figures; saints; christian;
Hrčak ID:
309584
URI
Publication date:
7.11.2023.
Visits: 289 *