𝔾𝕒𝕝𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕛𝕒 𝕌𝕞𝕛𝕖𝕥𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕒 𝕊𝕡𝕝𝕚𝕥

The Museum of Fine Arts Split has a fascinating history, considering that it occupies a building that was constructed in 1792 as the very first municipal hospital. This remarkable structure is the result of the visionary design of the architect Petar Kurir. The beautiful Neo-Renaissance  we see today is not merely the original design, but the result of significant extensions carried out in 1872 under the artistic direction of Trogir architect Josip Slade. During these renovations, the south wing and a central atrium featuring an elegant porch were added, contributing to the building's grand and welcoming appearance. Further transformation took place in the late 1970s when the building was adapted to house the Museum of the People's Revolution, designed by architect Vuko Bombardelli. Unfortunately, the museum closed in 1991, leaving its vast halls empty. However, since 1996, the building has found new life by housing the Museum of Fine Arts and the Multimedia Culture Centre, breathing fresh energy into its legendary walls. From 2004 until 2009, significant adaptation, reconstruction and extension projects were undertaken by architect Vinko Peračić, guided by the museological programme and concept envisioned by director Božo Majstorović at the time. Despite numerous alterations and renovations, the building remains a valuable example of 19th century architecture, symbolising the city's rich history and cultural identity as its first hospital. Looking ahead, the third phase of the Museum of Fine Arts is planned for the Baroque bastion Cornaro, located on the north side of the building. This new addition will incorporate essential facilities such as storage spaces, a gallery for temporary exhibitions and multimedia rooms, further enhancing the museum's offerings and ensuring its role as a cultural hub.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹

𝗔𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝘄𝘀𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟳𝟵𝟯

The museum of Fine Arts in Split was opened in 1931. The Museum's specific and exceptionally valuable collection today hold over 5200 works and spans a time period from the 14ᵗʰ century to the contemporary art production. The collection reflects the specific tastes and cultural standards of states and societies that succeed one after the other in this region: from the Venetian Republic, Austro-Hungarian Empire, kingdom and socialist Yugoslavia to the Republic of Croatia. This diversity has influenced the Collection’s exhibition concept in nearly 400 works of art exhibited in the space of 2200 m². The selection reflects the entire collection, its stylistic, thematic and media diversity, covering a time span of nearly seven hundred years. Thus, the exhibition is an opportunity for unique time travel, a space where you can experience the incomparable adventure of art.

The exhibition space is spread thoughtfully over two floors, with the ground floor dedicated to permanent and temporary contemporary art exhibitions. These exhibits encompass a variety of artistic expressions, including stunning paintings, intricate sculptures, innovative video installations, engaging multimedia presentations and thought-provoking installations, all of which push the boundaries of traditional art forms. Meanwhile, the upper floor elegantly showcases an exquisite exhibition of paintings tracing the evolution of art from the 14ᵗʰ century to the vibrant styles of the 1960s, providing visitors with a chronological journey through history. Among the gallery’s most valuable and earliest works are the renowned polyptych of Paolo Veneziano, created around 1345 and captivating viewers with its intricate details; the enchanting image of Madonna and Child, attributed to the circle of Blaž Jurjev Trogiranin (c. 1425); and another magnificent Madonna and Child depiction by the talented Giorgio Sciavone (c. 1480). The stone sculpture of St Jerome, crafted by Andrea Alessi around 1480, invites reflection on its rich symbolism. An exceptional engraving attributed to Albrecht Dürer from 1514 serves as a testament to the gallery’s historical significance. The gallery also features remarkable works by renowned Croatian artists such as Vlaho Bukovac, Mato Celestin Medović and Emanuel Vidović, making it a must-visit destination for art lovers and historians alike and offering a deeper insight into Croatia's cultural heritage.

‌In the 17th- and 18th-century wars against the Ottoman Empire, the Christian forces took the initiative. As part of the Venetian Republic and the Catholic League, the Croatian coast contributed to the Counter-Reformation, placing an emphasis on art for sacred spaces. Artists often relied on Venetian workshops for standardised works inspired by the great masters. In the first half of the 17th century, painting in Split was influenced by the Venetian artist Mateo Ponzone (1583–after 1663), marking a shift towards realism and naturalism. His student, Antonio Zanchi (1631–1722), further explored tenebroso painting. The reintroduction of the female nude emphasised beauty and sensuality, as seen in notable works such as Lucretia by Guido Reni (1575–1624). By the late 18th century, Venetian painters had returned to classical traditions, producing artworks such as Gregorio Lazzarini's Madonna with Child, characterised by classicist elegance. The most impressive representative of Baroque painting is certainly the Allegory of the Four Seasons by Czech painter Peter (Petr) Brandl (1660/1668-1739), which was obviously intended for a representative secular space.

Meanwhile, the ground floor display presents Croatia’s and local contemporary art practices (1960 – present), reflecting its multidisciplinary and multimedia diversity, as well as especially strong media art production. This exhibition not only showcases the evolution of artistic styles over the decades but also highlights the cultural significance of these works in the context of both local and global art movements. These exhibits encompass a variety of artistic expressions, including stunning paintings that capture the essence of the Croatian landscape, intriguing serigraphy, intricate sculptures, innovative video installations that challenge perceptions of reality, engaging multimedia presentations that blend sound and vision, and thought-provoking installations that encourage viewers to reflect on contemporary issues. All of these works push the boundaries of traditional art forms, inviting audiences to explore new dimensions of creativity and expression.