The Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina “Stećak”, the Croatian Heritage Foundation – Split Branch, the University of Split and the Split Branch of the Matica hrvatska invite you to the opening of the exhibition “Duvno Field – Royal Throne: Contemporary Interpretation of the Legend of King Tomislav’s Coronation”, which will be held on Thursday, 6 November at 19:30, in the University Gallery, Ruđera Boškovića 31, Split.
At the exhibition, visitors will gain a unique insight into the historical significance and symbolism of King Tomislav through contemporary artistic interpretation.
The exhibition is organised on the occasion of the 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom, under the patronage of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, the Split-Dalmatia County, the Herzeg-Bosnia County and the municipality of Tomislavgrad.
The exhibition includes designed and crafted royal insignia and garments, works by contemporary painters inspired by the experience of the Duvno Field landscape and its environs, and artistic photographs depicting the coronation.
The conceptual design of the reconstructed silver crown and gilded sceptre and the throne was created by academic sculptor Ilija Skočibušić; the crown was manufactured by Vladimir Šulevski. The reconstruction of the royal clothing was carried out by Prof. Jasmina Pacek. The royal garments are entirely handcrafted and consist of three layers: a hand-woven white shirt with embroidered sleeves, the tunic/dalmatic and the cloak.
King Tomislav’s boots were styled according to the standards of handcrafted medieval footwear made of natural leather.
In collaboration with the Academy of Fine Arts, University of Zagreb and the Academy of Fine Arts, University of Široki Brijeg, the exhibition will show artworks created during the three-year colony entitled “Land of King Tomislav” — landscapes of the Duvno Field and surroundings interpreted by artists Gordana Bakić, Tomislav Buntak, Svetislav Cvetković, Sebastijan Dračić, Fedor Fischer, Danko Friščić, Koraljka Kovač, Tin Samaržija, Matko Vekić and Josip Zanki.
The “Stećak” Association launched in 2021 the scientific research and reconstruction project of the early Croatian royal insignia entitled “Contemporary Interpretation of the Legend of King Tomislav’s Coronation on the Duvno Field”. Under the same name as the project, the association also published a monograph including scientific papers by Dr Zvonko Martić on the origin and development of the legend of King Tomislav’s coronation on the Duvno Field; Dr Anđelko Mihanović on historical portrayals in art history; Prof. Jasmina Pacek on the reconstruction of historical costumes when no original samples exist; and Željko Marciuš, museum counsellor at the National Museum of Modern Art, on the artistic paintings interpreting the Duvno Field landscape and its environs created during the three-year colony. Artist-photographer Jasmin Fazlagić created the photographs reenacting the king’s coronation.
The exhibition will remain open until 24 November 2025.
