Historical survey
Slovenia is situated on the crossroads of many different cultures and this is reflected also in its art. One of the oldest examples of art objects found in Slovenia is the situla of Vace (National Museum, Ljubljana), made in relief technique called torevtics from the 6th century BC. It represents the ancient rituals of Celtic tribes, who inhabited the area at that time.
There are many archaeological findings from the times of the Roman Empire, like the graveyard Rimska nekropola near Celje with a lot of portraits and mythological relieves. An interesting story is connected to the bust of Germanicus (1st century), one of the finest antique portrait heads made of bronze. During the Second World War it was taken to Germany as a present to Himmler by the German army because of its name. Later the statue was returned to Slovenia and it is now exhibited at the National museum in Ljubljana.
Among many interesting monuments from the Romanesque period, the cloister of Sticna (1136) and the church in Spitalic (early 12th cent.) should be pointed out. In Sticna the French monks of the Cistercian order built the typical architecture of their order which had a lot of influence on the development of mediaeval architecture in Slovenia. Beautiful examples of Romanesque manuscripts with illuminations were found in the scriptorium of this cloister. In Spitalic there is one of the rare examples of Romanesque portals with relieves. Near this small church there is a mediaeval restaurant where they offer dishes prepared following the old monastic recipes.
The period of gothic art lasted from early 13th till early 16th century. Gothic style was so popular in Slovenia that almost no renaissance art appeared. The most beautiful example of gothic art is the church of Ptujska gora (1400), the work of the Peter Parler's workshop from Prague. This pilgrimage church is exceptional in terms of architecture, there are frescos preserved in Krizna kapela and many magnificent examples of mediaeval sculptures, like Madonna in the altar.
Since there was not enough money to build impressive architecture, most of the gothic churches in Slovenia were decorated by fresco paintings (Italian influence). The most beautiful examples are in Crngrob, Mace, St. Anna above Kamnik and in Hrastovlje (the famous macabre dance from late 15th century).
After a very short period of Reformation movement, the Catholic church stimulated the renovation of most churches in the area. The baroque period was very influential in Slovenia. Especially in big cultural centres, like Ljubljana, the enthusiasm of rebuilding antique roman towns and introducing classical values in art, was very strong. Academia operosorum Labacensis associated theologists, lawyers, physicians and philospohers. They invited many famous Italian artists to work in Ljubljana, among them Francesco Robba from Venice (the author of Robba's fountain in the old centre of Ljubljana, 1751) and Andrea Pozzo from Rome (Ljubljana's cathedral was built according to his plans in the 18th century).
The local nobleman Janez Vajkard Valvasor was an important patron in the 17th century. He invited several painters to work at his castle. One of his closest friends was the Dutch painter Almanach whose painting Veselo omizje (1670) is part of the collection of the National Gallery in Ljubljana. Valentin Metzinger is another interesting painter who came to Ljubljana from Lorene. Other Slovenian painters were educated in Italy, like Fortunat Bergant, Anton Cebej, Franc Jelovsek.
In the 19th century, the development of the bourgeois class offered possibilities to neoclassicist (Franc Kavcic) and portrait painters. In the environment of Bidermaier saloons, very rich tradition of singular and group portraits was developed. Matevz Langus, Mihael Stroj and Josip Tominc were the most famous painters. Also romantic landscapes, particularly of the Alpine area, were very popular (by Anton Karinger, Marko Pernhart).
In the second half of the 19th century the artistic tradition was united with national liberation tendencies of Slovenian people, and as a result many public sculptures were produced (by Alojz Gangl, Ivan Zajec). The tradition of painting was still the strongest stream among fine arts. Young Slovenian painters went to study in Italy, Munich and Paris. Some of them were successful also abroad. The Subic brothers (Janez and Jurij) introduced the plain air method of painting in Slovenia. Jozef Petkovsek is sometimes called "the Slovenian Van Gogh" because of his unfortunate destiny as a painter. The best-received by the Slovenian people is a lady painter Ivana Kobilca. Her paintings Spring (1889) and Coffee drinker (1888) are part of the cultural patrimony known by every school child in Slovenia. Another successful artist is Anton Azbe, who was directing private art school in Munich. Among his most famous students were Vassily Kandinsky and Alexei von Jawlensky.
The painting tradition enabled a very strong and influential impressionist movement in Ljubljana and nearby small towns like Skofja Loka (Slovenian Barbizon). The group of impressionist painters (Rihard Jakopic, Matija Jama, Matej Strnen and Ivan Grohar) was very coherent and influential. They founded the basis for modernist art in Slovenia.
The works mentioned above are part of collection of National Gallery in Ljubljana.
In the field of architecture, there was a strong art nouveau movement under the influence of the Vienna architectural school. After the earthquake at the end of the 19th century, especially in Ljubljana many beautiful examples of this style were built (Miklosiceva street). In the first half of the 20th century, Ljubljana's architecture was marked by the work of Jozef Plecnik. This great architect was working in Vienna, Prague (the renovation of the Castle), Zagreb and Ljubljana. The details of his spiritual touch can be seen all over the town and some even call Ljubljana Plecnik's town. Among his most outstanding works are The three bridges, National library, Zale cemetery, St. Michael's church at Barje, Franciscan church and many others. It is very often that art lovers come to Ljubljana especially to see Plecnik's work.
Working in modernist style, more authors than ever were present in the 20th century. Because of terrible events during the First World War (the Soca front among the others) most of the artists chose expressionist style as the right device to express their feelings. This generation of artists was connected to the Prague school of art. As is common with expressionists, they developed the use of graphic techniques in arts. The most productive and successful were Veno Pilon, Tone and France Kralj, Bozidar Jakac and Avgust Cernigoj. Authors like Stane Kregar and France Mihelic introduced the elements of surrealism in their lyrical expression. The works of the artists of the 20th century and later can be seen in the Museum of Modern Art in Ljubljana.
Contemporary situation
After World War II Ljubljana became the capital of Slovenia, one of the republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Just after the war, the new country was strongly connected with the Soviet Union and its cultural politics of socialist realism. This tendency was connected with the strong movement of partisan graphic art developed during the war. But already in the fifties, after Tito's break with the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia opened the borders towards Western Europe. In 1955 the first International Biennial of Graphic Art has been held in Ljubljana, founded by the Museum of Modern Art (Moderna galerija) in Ljubljana. This large international art event still nowadays enables artists from East and West, and from all continents to meet and exchange their views.
Two main streams were developed in fine arts, one was inspired by abstract art (from Slovenian and Western tradition), and the second one followed the tradition of figurative tendencies (for example pop art). The first wave of abstract art started in the late fifties with the works of Janez Bernik, Zoran Music, Lojze Spacal, Rudolf Kotnik and Stane Kregar. It was strongly connected with work of Museum of Modern Art and Biennial of Graphic Art. Most artists were painters and graphic artists, and their works are part of European informal style. In the seventies, young artists were inspired by the American tradition of abstract expressionism, minimalism and other abstract streams. Andrej Jemec, Tugo Susnik, Gustav Gnamus are the most typical authors of this direction among many others.
The two most important artists from early modernism in Slovenia, Gabriel Stupica and Marij Pregelj, never quit the link with figurative expression and this tradition was very strong in Slovenia. In the sixties the neoavantgard group OHO presented a unique phenomena, experimenting with land art, happenings, performances, conceptual art etc. with an innovative and fresh approach. In the seventies, young artists were fascinated by art nouveau and pop art. The local version of this tendencies was called figurative expressionism by Aleksander Bassin (contemporary art critic). Zmago Jeraj, Lojze Logar and Metka Krasovec found a particular expression in presenting the contemporary world.
In sculpturing, after the period of huge public sculptures made by Drago Trsar, Slavko Tihec, Jakob Savinsek and Zdenko Kalin, the minimalist style had a very strong influence, and many artists of the younger generation achieved even international recognition, like Duba Sambolec, Marjetica Potrc, Lujo Vodopivec, Dragica Cadez.
The post-modern period in the eighties was very strong and connected with the Slovenian liberation tendencies to become separated from Yugoslavia. The IRWIN group used irony to manifest the principles of totalitarianism. Also other artists were working in conceptual style (Marjetica Potrc, Joze Barsi, Tadej Pogacar).
In the eighties and nineties, the separation of tendencies in art became very clear. Some galleries were supporting pictorial tradition (Equrna) and others were open to more avantgarde streams (Museum of Modern Art, SKUC), some galleries are specialised in particular art techniques like Kapelica (body art and performances) or Kibla (new technologies). The variety of artistic expressions is considerable. Some of the most successful artists are: Metka Krasovec, Joze Slak Djoka, Zivko Marusic, Emerik Bernard, Zdenko Huzjan, Sergej Kapus, Bojan Gorenc, Sandi Cervek, Mojca Oblak Crowther, Petra Varl, Mojca Osojnik, and many others.
Many galleries have excellent contacts with foreign art institutions and artists. The Museum of Modern Art and International Centre of Graphic Art have remarkable international collections of works of art. Slovenia is participating in major art events all over the world like Venice Biennial, Sao Paolo biennial, Documenta in Kassel and many others.
Education in fine arts
The Academy of Fine Arts was established in Ljubljana in 1945, and later on independent departments for graphic arts and for design also opened. In the last ten years, many private art schools have emerged, the most influential among them are: Arthouse - College for visual arts (Visoka strokovna sola slikarstva) and Famul Stuart.
Univerza v Ljubljani
Akademija za likovno umetnost (Academy of fine artsand design)
Erjavceva 23
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Tel. 386 1 251 27 26
Fax 386 1 251 90 71
Contact person: Mr. Bojan Gorenec, dean
Academy of fine arts and design is the major institution in education of painting, sculpturing, graphic art, restoration and design.
Arthouse - College for visual arts
Visoka strokovna sola slikarstva
Devova 18
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Contact person: Mr Mladen Jernejec, Dean
www.arthouse-si.com
Private art college specialised in painting techniques.
Famul Stuart
School of applied arts
Fuzine castle
Studenec 2A
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Tel. 386 1 14 00 352
Contact person: Mrs. Rene Rusjan
Website: members.tripod.com/~famulstuart/
Private art school of applied arts (graphics - art printing techniques, ceramics, sculpture and restoration, photography and related digital media, ambient decorating and furnishing of interiors).
Major art galleries
National Gallery
Narodna galerija
Puharjeva 9
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Mrs Barbara Jaki, Director
Tel. 386 1 2415434
Fax. 386 1 241 54 03
e-mail: 
info@ng-slo.si
Website: www.ng-slo.si
Museum of Modern Arts
Moderna galerija
Tomsiceva 14
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Mrs Zdenka Badovinac, Director
Tel. 386 1 241 68 00
Fax: 386 1 251 41 20
Website: www.mg-lj.si
Mala galerija
Slovenska 35
SI-1000 Ljubljana
website: www.mg-lj.si
Mala galerija is a small exhibition venue held by Moderna galerija, specialised in contemporary exhibitions of well known authors.
Museum of Architecture Ljubljana
Arhitekturni muzej Ljubljana
Fuzine castle
Studenec 2a
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Mr Peter Krecic, Director
Tel. 386 1 540 97 98
Fax. 386 1 540 03 44
Website: www.aml.si
Museum of Architecture Ljubljana
The Plecnik Collection
Arhitekturni muzej Ljubljana
Plecnikova zbirka
Karunova 4
SI- 1000 Ljubljana
Tel. 386 1 280 16 00
Fax. 386 1 280 16 05
Website: www.aml.si
Jakopic Gallery
Jakopiceva galerija
Slovenska cesta 9
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Tel. 386 1 425 23 93
Jakopic Gallery is an exhibition venue held by Municipality of Ljubljana.
International Centre of Graphic Art
Pod Turnom 3
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Mrs Lilijana Stepancic, Director
Tel. 386 1 241 38 00
Fax. 386 1 241 38 21
Website: www.mglc-lj.si
Gallery of Cankarjev dom
Galerija Cankarjevega doma
Presernova 10
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Mrs Nada Pirnat Spahic, Programme director Exhibitions
Tel. 386 1 24 17 152
Fax. 386 1 24 17 298
Website: www.cd-cc.si
Galerija SKUC
Stari trg 21
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Mrs. Alenka Gregorič, Programme Director
Tel. 386 1 421 31 40
Fax. 386 1 251 65 40
Website: www.galerija.skuc-drustvo.si
City Art Museum
Mestna galerija
Mestni trg 5
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Mr Aleksander Bassin, Director
Tel. 386 1 241 17 70
Fax: 386 1 241 17 82
Website: www.mestna-galerija.si
Equrna
Gregorciceva 3
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Mrs Taja Brejc
Tel. 386 1 2527123
Equrna is a private gallery, specialised in painting exhibitions.
Kapelica
Kersnikova 4
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Contact person: Mr Jurij Krpan, Programme head
Tel. 386 1 43 80 200
Website: www.kapelica.org
Kapelica is an avantgarde art gallery, specialised in body art and performances.
Celje Gallery of Contemporary Art
Galerija sodobne umetnosti Celje
Trg celjskih knezov 8
SI-3000 Celje
Contact person: Mrs Alenka Domjan
Tel. 386 3 42 65 150
Fax. 386 3 42 65 164
Website: www.zkp-celje.si
Maribor Art Gallery
Umetnostna galerija Maribor
Strossmayerjeva 6
SI-2000 Maribor
Contact person: Mrs Meta Gabrsek Prosenc, Director
Tel. 386 2 22958 60
Fax. 386 2 252 77 84
Website: www.umetnostnagalerija.si
Multimedia centre KIBLA
Multimedijski center KIBLA
Ul. Kneza Koclja 9
SI-2000 Maribor
Tel. 386 2 229 40 12
Fax. 386 2 229 4020
Contact person: Mrs. Aleksandra Kostic, President
e-mail: peco@kibla.org
Website: www.kibla.org
Coastal Galleries Piran
Obalne galerije Piran
Tartinijev trg 3
SI-6330 Piran
Contact person: Mr Toni Biloslav, Director
Tel. 386 5 673 26 88
Fax. 386 5 673 26 90
Website: www.obalne-galerije.si
Gallery of Fine Arts Slovenj Gradec
Umetnostna galerija Slovenj Gradec
Glavni trg 24
SI-2380 Slovenj Gradec
Contact person: Mrs Milena Zlatar, Director
Tel. 386 2 884 12 83
Fax. 386 2 882 21 30
Website: http://www.glu-sg.si/
Major exhibition venues in Slovenia
International Biennial of Graphic Art
Mednarodni graficni bienale
(every odd year from June till September)
Survey of contemporary world reproductive graphic art in all
Techniques, schools and styles.
Exhibition places: Museum of Modern Art, International Centre of Graphic Art, Cankarjev dom, Jakopiceva galerija
Contacts: Mrs. Breda Skerjanc, Mrs. Lili Sturm
International Centre of Graphic Art
(Mednarodni graficni likovni center)
Grad Tivoli
Pod Turnom 3
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Contact person: Mrs. Lilijana Stepancic, Director
Tel. 386 1 241 38 00
Fax. 386 1 241 38 21
website: www.mglc-lj.org/
BIO (International exhibition of industrial design)
(every even year in October)
organised by Museum of Architecture
Exhibition places: diverse places all over Ljubljana and several other
exhibitions of design
Contact person: Mrs Spela Subic, Secretary general
Tel. 386 1 280 16 04
Fax. 386 1 280 16 05
Website: www.bio18.com/
U3 - Triennial of contemporary Slovenian art
Survey of contemporary art by Slovenian authors, selected by
Slovenian and foreign curators, organised by Museum of Modern Art
in Ljubljana.
Exhibition place:
Museum of Modern Art
Tomsiceva ulica 14
Contact person: Mrs Adela Zeleznik
Tel. 386 1 241 68 00
Fax: 386 1 251 41 20
Website: www.mg-lj.si/
City of Women
(every year in autumn)
organised by City of Women - Association for the Promotion of
Women in Culture
Kersnikova 4
SI-1000 Ljubljana
The international festival of contemporary art City of Women (Mesto zensk) has also a fine art section. City of Women festival is
specialised in showing art made by women or for women.
Exhibition places: all over Ljubljana
Contact person: Bettina Knaup
Tel. 386 1 438 15 80
Website: www.cityofwomen-a.si/
Biennial of Slovenian illustration
Cankarjev dom
Presernova 10
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Contact person: Mrs Nada Pirnat Spahic
Tel. 386 1 24 17 152
Fax. 386 1 241 72 98
Website: www.cd-cc.si/
Break2.2
International festival of young emerging artists
Ljubljana (June)
Zavod K6/4
Kersnikova 6
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Tel. 386 1 43 80 300
e-mail: samo@klub4.org
Website: www.break21.org/
Festival of computer arts
Festival racunalniske umetnosti
Multimedia centre KIBLA
Multimedijski center KIBLA
Ul. Kneza Koclja 9
SI-2000 Maribor
Tel. 386 2 229 40 12
Fax. 386 2 229 4020
Website: www.kibla.org/
Other important art services
Zavod SCCA- Ljubljana
Metelkova 6
Si-1000 Ljubljana
Contact person: Mrs. Mateja Lazar
Tel. 386 1 426 21 92
e-mail: info@scca-ljubljana.si
Website: www.scca-ljubljana.si
Artservis
The web artservis providing information on art
Contact person: Mrs. Marija Mojca Pungerčar, Editor
Web: www.artservis.org
email: Info@artservis.org
State participation and sponsoring
Ministry of Culture is the main sponsor of artistic events. There are also an emerging number of business companies, which sponsor exhibitions or form their own collections by selecting works from contemporary Slovenian and foreign artists.
Ministry of Culture
Maistrova ulica 10
1000 Ljubljana
Contact person: Mrs Nada Zoran
Tel. 386 1 369 50 00
Fax. 386 1 369 59 01
Website: www.gov.si/mk/
Co-operation with the Netherlands
In 2000, a major exhibition of Rembrandt's etchings took place in Slovenia's major cultural centre, Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana (in co-operation with the Rembrandthuis Amsterdam).
The international Biennial of Graphic Art regularly features contemporary Dutch artists.
Slovenian art galleries have well-established contacts with the Mondriaan Foundation.
Between 1999 and 2002, several major Slovenian museums participated in an extensive training programme "Management Development - Slovenian Museum Community" executed by the Netherlands Museum Association.
On the Netherlands side -NAI, interest has been expressed and discussed to organise an exhibition in the Netherlands of the work by Slovenian architect Jozef Plecnik in 2004 As well in the Netherlands as in Slovenia.
