Even the people who live in Klanjec agree that the town is in the middle of nowhere. So, it was a surprise to find a gallery filled with such a remarkable collection of sculptures.
Situated in the middle of a picturesque small town in Northwest of Croatia, Klanjec, this Gallery was named by the global sculptor Antuna Augustincica, and it’s the home of fifty of his works from 1920s to 1970s.
A real gem Art Gallery on the regions of Hrvatsko Zagorje on the border with Slovenia.
The charming building designed by Ante Lozica, blends perfectly in the natural surrounds, in harmony with the next door Franciscan Monastery in baroque style.
Photo: J A Neto
The building is surrounded by an organic garden that merges with Antuna human sizes works and fountains, enhancing their forms, strengths and movements. Indoors the sculptures have a more intimate feel.
The Gallery has a permanent exhibition displaying works since 1990, resulted from a two-stage development of the original exhibition by Augustincica upon the opening.
Antuna Augustincica (1900-1979), has studied in Zagreb and Paris. His artworks were introduced internationally by a closer friend, President Tito, Former President of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. He also worked as a professor and was rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb.
Antunas’ has works in several public spaces around Europe, although one of his most known sculpture is in New York, in front of the UN building – Monument to Peace.
The Gallery also deals with different sculptures issues and host temporary exhibitions of sculptors that had some association with Master Augustincica at any point or form.
Opened in the spring of 1976, the Gallery has acquired the Museum recognition on the Autumn of the same year. In the summer of 1992, has become part of the institution, Museums of Hrvatsko Zagorje.
Augustincica died on the 10th of May 1979 and was buried in the park of the Gallery in his native Klanjec. He has left not only a fantastic body of works for his hometown but a reason for people to visit it.
Croatia, after all, is not only about Christmas Advent Calendar or their beautiful coastline.
Galerija Antuna Augustincica, Klanjec-Croatia. Photos: J A Neto