Sad Memories

1905

First exhibition with the Secession group in Vienna

In 1905 he shows for the first time with the Secession group in Vienna, his work noticeably influenced by Art Nouveau. Success comes quickly: Rodin once called Meštrović the greatest phenomenon among sculptors, and an even greater sculptor than himself.

1911

Grand prix at the International Exhibition in Rome

In Rome he receives the grand prix for the Serbian Pavilion at the 1911 International Exhibition: beside the “soft and ineffectual” pieces of Hugo Lederer, Anton Hanak and Franz Metzner, his work is judged strong and monumental. For the exhibition he sculpts Prince Marko, a hero of Serbian folk legend; the statue is exhibited along with 73 sculptures at the pavilion of the Kingdom of Serbia, and he also takes part in the Turin International.

7 November 1941

Arrested by the Ustaše in Zagreb

Meštrović and the painter Jozo Kljaković are arrested by the Ustaše in Zagreb, ostensibly out of the regime’s fear that the two would emigrate. He serves three and a half months in the Savska Cesta prison.

1942

Release and departure for Italy

With the help of Archbishop Aloysius Stepinac and then the Vatican he is released, on condition that he travel to Venice to attend the pavilion of the Independent State of Croatia at the Venice Biennale; from there he relocates to Rome.

1946–1947

Move to the US: professor at Syracuse University

In 1946 Syracuse University offers him a professorship and he moves to the United States (other accounts date the move to 1947); he becomes a professor of sculpture.

16 January 1962

Died