DRNIS, 25 April (Hina) - The Croatian police yesterday found one of the stolen paintings by the famous Croatian painter and sculptor Ivan Mestrovic (1883-1962) and returned it last night to the Museum of Drniska Krajina (liberated
area in southern Croatia).
DRNIS, 25 April (Hina) - The Croatian police yesterday found
one of the stolen paintings by the famous Croatian painter and
sculptor Ivan Mestrovic (1883-1962) and returned it last night
to the Museum of Drniska Krajina (liberated area in southern
Croatia). #L#
During the occupation (1991-1995), the Serb rebels
devastated the Museum of Drniska Krajina, which at that time had
some 37 exhibits by the famous Croatian painter and sculptor.
Twenty-three exhibits were found at the Knin fortress shortly after
the liberation of the town.
The painting, entitled 'Crazy Mile' was found in a private
flat in Knin, eight months after Knin had been liberated.
The temporary owner of the painting, not knowing the value
of the painting, used it to cover his window since he did not have
glass.
Ivan Mestrovic became famous even as a young artist. With
his style he belonged to the Vienna Secession. His colleague in
Paris was the famous Rodin. Mestrovic's main interests were
historic and biblical topics. He was not only a sculptor and
painter, but also a university professor in the United States where
he lived from 1947 until his death. He is the author of two
literary works. One of them, a collection of short stories, was
given the same title as the painting 'Crazy Mile'.
(hina) rm jn
251354 MET apr 96