The History of Croatia 1932

Ivan Meštrović created this bronze sculpture of a seated woman called ‘The History of Croatia’ without a known date. The dark tones of the bronze give her a solemn air, but it's the way Meštrović has worked the surface that really gets me. The texture is rough, alive with the marks of his hand, each indentation telling a story. The way the light catches the uneven surface creates a play of shadows, giving the piece a sense of depth and movement. Notice the folds of her garment, how they seem to both cling to her form and billow out around her. It's as if she is both grounded and ethereal, a monument and a memory. Meštrović's work reminds me of Rodin, but with a folk twist. Both artists understand how to use texture and form to convey emotion, but Meštrović brings a unique cultural perspective. Ultimately, art is a conversation, each artist building on the ideas of those who came before, while adding something new.