Depiction of Croatian Middle Ages through the Works of History Painting in History Textbooks from the Mid-19th Century to the Present

Antolković, Viktorija. (2015). Depiction of Croatian Middle Ages through the Works of History Painting in History Textbooks from the Mid-19th Century to the Present. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Art History
Department of History. [mentor Vedriš, Trpimir and Damjanović, Dragan].

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Abstract

History painting usually is not in the focus of art history. But at the time it originated, its role as a means of awakening national spirit and a sense of belonging was highly emphasized. Themes from Croatian Middle Ages represent crucial and at the same time controversial moments of Croatian national history, thus having an important role in constructing Croatian political myth and national identity. Since representation of topics from Croatian Middle Ages began in the middle of the 19th century, these images have circulated due to newspaper articles and reports from current exhibitions. However, they were also available for possession in the form of oleography, a substitute for the original painting. This was the dominant form of decoration of bourgeois homes in the 19th century. History paintings have also found their place in history textbooks. Because history education has often been regarded as a way of cultivating proper citizens who love and take pride in their country, history textbooks have been the topic of great debate and ideological conflicts. Use of history paintings in history textbooks outlines the role and the meaning of images in different historical contexts, since late 19th to the beginning of 21st century. The fact that these images are a product of the 19th century author’s imagination is often overlooked. Even though they represent Croatian Middle Ages, history paintings are just as eloquent testimonies to the political, social and economic climate of the 19th century.

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