Izvorni znanstveni članak
The Role and Legacy of Antun Gustav Matoš in Croatian Art History
Ana Šeparović
; Leksikografski zavod »Miroslav Krleža«, Zagreb
Sažetak
The article discusses the role of Antun Gustav Matoš in the development of Croatian art in general, as well as his influence on certain art-historical concepts. Due to the influence of Tainean determinist theses and the recognition of peasantry and Croatian countryside as the basis of national identity, Matoš has been recognized as a precursor to Babić’s idea of »our expression«. The author argues that Matoš’s aestheticist understanding of visual arts includes sensitivity towards proto-avant-garde phenomena and early signs of Expressionism, which secured him a prominent role in the preparation of Croatian art scene for the understanding and the advent of avant-garde tendencies. His importance was also detected in his drawing attention to less prominent artistic forms such as posters and caricature, the historiography of which records Matoš as their first expert. He incited the younger generation’s recognition of progressive achievements of European art in the art of Kraljević, which had a profound impact on the development of Croatian art, especially in the second phase of the Spring salon (Proljetni salon). He was among the first to call attention to Meštrović’s greatness, but also to his imperfections, refuting political tendentiousness as dangerous in visual arts. Since Matoš’s views proved to be extremely encouraging and full of suggestive strength, it is not unusual that his importance as an art critic affected history of art itself. Although he was not familiar with problems of art forms and did not apply the terminology of art criticism – remaining mainly concerned with literary aspects, atmosphere and his own uncertain impressions and sometimes toning down his critical harshness due to the national component – he intuitively discerned artistic quality and made lucid evaluations and assessments which permanently marked the reception of individual oeuvres in Croatian art criticism and art history.
Ključne riječi
Antun Gustav Matoš; modernism; tradition; proto-avant-garde; caricature; Miroslav Kraljević; Ivan Meštrović
Hrčak ID:
136381
URI
Datum izdavanja:
17.3.2015.
Posjeta: 2.419 *