"Medvednica Dream" Work in Progress by MJHodge
The Reverse Glass Painting Technique
Start with a plain piece of glass. Clean well. Paint the small detail and objects in the foreground first. Allow paint to dry before adding background details and distant perspectives. Sound easy?
- Remember to sign your name FIRST … and backwards.
- Any familiar landmarks? Don't forget to 'reverse' the sketch so that they appear the 'right way round' in the finished painting.
I don't think 'easy' really applies, but the intense colours and minute detail possible with this technique more than make up for the technical challenges.
The Croatian Tradition of Reverse Glass Painting
Croatian artists have been working in the "ulje na staklu" (oil on glass) technique since the mid-20th century when an academy trained painter visiting Hlebine encouraged a few of the villagers to pick up paintbrushes in the winter months and paint 'what they knew.'
Characterised by rural views and scenes of village life, early Croatian Naive paintings are often bleak despite the rich tones, brilliant colours, and fine detailing that the oil on glass technique allows.
Today, artists no longer focus solely on agrarian themes and the paintings are as varied as the artists themselves.
The Artists
Most Croatian Naive painters can trace their artistic development back to the Hlebine school in some way, but very few have ever recieved formal training in the technique beyond the basics of putting paint on glass. For this reason, Croatian Naive painters are considered "naive" both in the appearance of their stye and in the literal sense of being almost entirely self-taught.
During my time in Zagreb, I have visited several artists who have helped me in developing my own work. Following in the naive tradition I have undertaken no formal training in the technique, but have been introduced by one artist to another so that I might develop my own interests.
I am particularly indebted to Ivica Fišter who first inspired me to paint on glass, and then showed amazing patience and good humour when faced with my atrocious Croatian and sometimes impossible-to-translate questions. I am also extremely grateful to Katarina Krvarić who welcomed me as a colleague and friend (and fed me like family) before I could even hold a proper conversation.
Want to Know More?
Zagreb offers a selection of galleries and museums that feature the works of Croatian Naive artists. For background start at the Croatian Museum of Naive Art (Hrvatski Muzej Naivne Umjetnosti, HMNU) in Gornji Grad. After a tour of the historical painters, check out the paintings in the nearby Gallery Mijo Kovačić. For the best collection of works by artists working today, next visit the Mirko Virius Gallery near the Dolac Market. Home of the Croatian Association of Naive Artists (Hrvatsko Društvo Naivnih Umjetnika) they display and sell works by their members, while also holding temporary exhibitions throughout the year. And for those who haven't seen enough, visit the Naive Art Gallery (Galerija Hrvatske Naivne Umjetnosti) off Trg Ban Jelačić - from the outside it looks like just another tourist shop but inside is a warren of interconnected rooms with hundreds of paintings. As with the Mirko Virius Gallery, you can go in to buy or just to look.
Planning a Visit to Croatia?
Then I would definitely recommend Vladimir Medjimorec to anyone who wants to learn more about Croatian Naive artists working today. He can arrange studio visits (and provide translation) for those serious about learning more.
You may contact him by email at vladimir.medjimorec@zg.htnet.hr.