Portret nepoznatog slikara Michela Willenicha (Miha Vilenika) iz pera Orsata Meda Pucića

Abstract

Medo Pucić(1821-1882), Ragusan intellectual whose pursuits by far surpassed the field of literature, published in 1878 an interesting art review in the literary journal Slovinac. His contribution casts light upon an internationally acclaimed French painter of Dubrovnik origin, Michel Willenich (Miho Vilenik, 1827-1891), who until now has remained neglected by the catalogue surveys of Dubrovnik and Croatian art history. PucićCroaticised the painter’s name and added insightful and until then unknown details to his life and work . He also introduced the reader to the atmosphere of the Paris Salon, major art event of the day, and thus updated his fellow-citizens on the latest art developments in Europe.The research into archival material and catalogues (from 1870 to 1903) of the exhibitions held in Paris and France reveals a productive painting opus of the official painter of the Ministry of Marine and French colonies and a Knight of the Legion of Honour. Within the context of Pucić’s miscellaneous and comprehensive work, his interest in art certainly earns an important place. Apart from his rewarding role in the artistic maturing of Vlaho Bukovac, thanks to Medo Pucić, nineteenth-century art history of Dubrovnik and Croatia is richer for yet another figure of Dubrovnik roots―painter Miho Vilenik.

Keywords

• Dubrov nik
• 19th century
• Medo Pucić
• Miho Vilenik
• Michel Willenich
• Slovinac
• art criticism