Serbian Masters National Museum Belgrade

I visited the National Museum Belgrade yesterday and was again blown away by the exceptional art on display. This is the third time I’ve explored the museum. During this visit, I mostly admired the portraiture and landscapes of Serbian masters.

Photos of favorites – there were many – are attached. Exhibitions appear on three floors and cover 5,000 sq. meters (almost 54,000 sq. ft.) of space. Tap or click on the photos to enlarge the paintings and view the detail and incredible brushstrokes.

The museum includes art from the Paleolithic Age to the 20th century. Getting your head around so much art and information is a brain teaser. Each expressive creation has special significance and could be a history lesson. Periods covered include:

• Prehistory
• Classical Antiquity
• Middle Ages
• New Century

Nikola Aleksić Portrait Dušan Nadaški 1861

Konstantin Danil Portrait Madame Wegling 1840

Nikola Aleksić Child With A Ball 1863

Robert Levrac Tournières (1668-1752) Regent And Comtesse de Parabere 18th Century

Konstantin Danil Portrait Madame Totossy 1835-1840

Jovan Popović Child With A Lamb 1846

Đura Jakšić Girl In Blue 1856

17th Century Painting Of A Woman

Aksentije Marodić Portrait Yong Man 1865

Katarina Ivanović Italian Winegrower 1842

Đura Jakšić Prince Milan Obrenović 1875

Stevan Todorović Milan Đj. Milićević 1866

Katarina Ivanović Serbin Artist Self Portrait 1836

Franz Eybl (1806-1880) Portrait Emilia von Kommenter

Miloš Tenković Self Portrait 1875-1877

Medieval Orthodox Monasteries

I also enjoyed the religious icon exhibition. Fascinated by medieval monasteries, I’m joining a daytrip next week, touring the 14th century Ravanica and 15th century Manasija Monasteries. I’m excited to see the ancient frescoes in these monasteries, even though some are said to be fading or flaking from the walls.

Belgrade Philharmonic

Tonight I’m attending a Belgrade Philharmonic concert featuring a modern composition by Serbian composer Marko Nikodijevic. The theme of his work is the biblical story about creation of the sky.

Nikola Nešković The Crucifixion 1780

St Nicholas and St. Sava 19th Century

Ktetorial Portrait of King Mihailo Vojisavljevic 1090

White Angel Fresco Mileševa Monastery 1235

Uncaptioned 14th Century Icon

Italo-Cretan Icon

Uncaptioned 14th Century Icon

Wedding at Cana Third Decade 14th Century

Maurice Utrillo The Asylum 1925

Alfred Sisley Barges At Billancourt 1877

Đorđe Krstić Babakaj 1906

Nadežda Petrović Barges On The Sava River 1907

Sava Šumanović A Bridge Over The Seine 1929

André Derain Landscape With Olive Trees 1930

Pierre-Auguste Renoir Scene From The Moulin dela Galette 1979-1880

Miloš Tenković Landscape With Cows 1878

Milan Konjović Wheat 1936

Camille Pissarro Landscape in Barnville 1900

Beta Vukanović Summer Day 1919

Francisco Guardi St. Mark’s Square Venice 1775

Russian Immigrants

The large number of Russians who have moved to Belgrade during the past year or so has impacted the city considerably. Many of them are young, well-educated IT people who found great career opportunities here. Their presence makes accommodation scarce and more expensive.

Belgrade Marathon

The annual Belgrade Marathon is this weekend, so it will be busy! It’s one of the biggest sporting events in Serbia, with 13,000 participants from 72 countries participating. The marathon has been held in Belgrade since 1988 and also features a half marathon and a fun run for the public.

Katarina Ivanović Basket of Grapes 1837-1838

Pier Francesco Cittadini 17th Century

Pier Francesco Cittadini Still Life With A Dragonfly 17th Century

Abraham van Beijeren Still Life Melon, Peaches, Grapes 17th Century

Konstantin Danil Still Life 1850

Acclimatization from Datça to Belgrade is taking a few days – the two places are vastly different worlds. Although it’s still a bit dizzying, I’m slowly getting into the Belgrade “swing“.

Drawing Novak Radonić 1826-1890

Drawing Novak Radonić 1826-1890

Drawing Novak Radonić 1826-1890

Drawing Novak Radonić 1826-1890

Drawing Novak Radonić 1826-1890

Drawing Novak Radonić 1826-1890

Drawing Novak Radonić 1826-1890

Drawing Novak Radonić 1826-1890

Nadežda Petrović Shepherd 1912

Pavle Paja Jovanović Portrait of Artist’s Wife 1919

Maurice de Vlaminck Still Life With Fish 1905

Katarina Ivanović Danilo R. Danić 1946

Jovan Bijelić In A Cafe I 1933

Lazar Vozarević Mother of Jugović Heroes 1957

Milan Konjović Uncle Toncika Having A Beer 1938

Lazar Vozarević 1925-1968 – Materinstvo

Miodrag Mića Popović Synthetic Landscape 1968

Lazar Vozarević 1925-1968

Veljko Stanojević Portrait Of A Woman In Green 1924

Zoran Pavlović Composition I 1962

Suzanne Valadon Vase With Roes And Oriental Rug 1929

Kees van Dongen Portrait Of A Woman 1922

Pierre-Auguste Renoir Scene From The Moulin dela Galette 1979-1880

Marc Zakharovich Chagall Peasant And A Cow 1926-27

More later…