 Oct 25 2024 - Oct 31 2025

 Ljubljana

The Ethnographic Museum in Ljubljana is showing a major exhibition on Maksim Gaspari (1883-1980), a painter who drew on cultural heritage to shape images of the nation.

More than 120 of his paintings from public and private collections will be on display, along with his drawings, postcards and objects with motifs reappearing in his work.

These are associated with national costumes, weddings and beekeeping. His image of the Slovenian version of Father Frost, carrying a fur coat and a dormouse fur hat, is still valid today.

He also shaped the image of mythological creatures that would become part of Slovenian nationals symbolism, as well as images such as Lake Bled, the carnation and Virgin Mary dressed in the national costume.

Gaspari worked as a restorer and draughtsman at the Ethnographic Museum for 20 years, which service affected his choice of motifs.

For more details, click here.