Prešeren Monument (Ljubljana)
Monument to the Slovenian national poet France Prešeren in Ljubljana
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The Prešeren Monument in Ljubljana (Slovene: Prešernov spomenik), also Prešeren Statue in Ljubljana, is a late Historicist bronze statue of the Slovene national poet France Prešeren in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.[1] It stands in the eastern side of Prešeren Square, in front of the Central Pharmacy Building. It is among the best-known Slovenian monuments.[2]
Pedestal: concept by Ivan Zajec, design by Max Fabiani, stonemason Alojzij Vodnik
| Prešeren Monument | |
|---|---|
| |
 | |
| Artist | Statue: Ivan Zajec Pedestal: concept by Ivan Zajec, design by Max Fabiani, stonemason Alojzij Vodnik |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Location | Ljubljana |
| 46°3′5.07″N 14°30′22.71″E | |
Statue
The statue that stands on a pedestal includes a sculpture of the poet, facing the window where his adored Julija Primic used to live, and a sculpture of a half naked muse above him sitting on a rock and holding a laurel branch in her hand.[3] The poet is dressed in formal attire, wearing a vest and an unbuttoned coat,[4] and holds a book symbolising his Poems (Poezije).[5][6] The sculpture of Prešeren is 3.5 metres (11 ft) high, and the entire monument is 9.6 metres (31 ft) high.[3] There is a bust of Julija Primic on the building that Prešeren faces, as well.[7]
Pedestal
The pedestal of Prešeren's statue is made of Pohorje tonalite and has three steps.[5][6] Above it, there is a cut rock block with the inscription "Prešeren".[2][5] The lighter base of the muse is made of Tyrolian granite.[6] It was made by the stonemason Alojzij Vodnik per a design by Max Fabiani, who based his work on a concept by Ivan Zajec. A letter about the erection of the monument and some coins have been built into the pedestal.[7]
There are two bronze reliefs on the lower part of the pedestal, depicting scenes from Prešeren's Poems.[3] The right one, titled Farewell (Slovo) or Črtomir and Bogomila (Črtomir in Bogomila), depicts a scene from the poem The Baptism on the Savica. The left one, titled Fisherman (Ribič), depicts a scene from the poem Fisherman.[8] The reliefs on the pedestal were created by Zajec in 1901.[9][3] They have a Classicist composition, a Realist cadre, an impressionist final touch, and emphasise Prešeren's Romantic poetry with its content.[2] The upper part of the pedestal is decorated with a stylised lime tree, reminding of the poet's homeland's symbol.[1]
History
Creation and unveiling
The idea for the Prešeren monument was first proposed by a group of grammar school students in 1889. In 1891, it was supported by 52 Slovene scholars, and finally, in 1898, by Ljubljana mayor Ivan Hribar. He also organised a board for this purpose.[7] Hribar announced a competition in 1899.[10] Seven sculptors submitted their proposals in time,[3][10] among them Franc Berneker, Anton Bitežnik, Jakob Žnider, Alojzij Progar, and finally Ivan Zajec, who won it.[10] He received the commission on 18 October 1900.[10]
Zajec started his work in the studio of Hans Makart in Vienna.[2] The model for Prešeren was Prešeren's portrait by Goldenstein, and he depicted the suit of Prešeren after a model from 1830–1840, borrowed in a Vienna museum. The model for the muse was Olimpia Pozatti, a dancer from Trieste. The monument of Prešeren was cast in Krupp foundry in Vienna (Kaiserlich Königliche Kunst-Erzgießerei)[10] in September 1903, and the muse was cast in the beginning of 1904.[7] The costs for the entire monument were around 71,000 kronen, largely raised by Slovene women and various societies.[10]
The monument was ceremonially unveiled on 10 September 1905. Over 20,000 people were present. The ceremonial speech was read by Ivan Tavčar.[3] A biography of Prešeren with some of his poems was published by Engelbert Gangl on the occasion.[10] The naked muse became a bone of contention for some townspeople, especially for bishop Anton Bonaventura Jeglič.[11]
