National Gallery welcomes two long lost Baroque paintings
Ljubljana, 21 November - Two iconic paintings by Baroque painter Fortunat Bergant (1721-1769) which had been lost since WWII were found in Ljubljana this spring and obtained by the National Gallery. This solves one of the biggest mysteries of the Slovenian art history, pundits say.
Ljubljana
National Gallery curator Ferdinand Šerbelj presenting two recently found iconic paintings by Baroque painter Fortunat Bergant, Birdman and Pretzelman.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Ljubljana
National Gallery curator Ferdinand Šerbelj presenting two recently found iconic paintings by Baroque painter Fortunat Bergant, Birdman and Pretzelman.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Ljubljana
Pretzelman, an iconic paiting by Baroque painter Fortunat Bergant.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Ljubljana
Birdman, an iconic paiting by Baroque painter Fortunat Bergant.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Ljubljana
National Gallery curator Ferdinand Šerbelj presenting two recently found iconic paintings by Baroque painter Fortunat Bergant, Birdman and Pretzelman.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Ljubljana
National Gallery curator Ferdinand Šerbelj presenting two recently found iconic paintings by Baroque painter Fortunat Bergant, Birdman and Pretzelman.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Ljubljana
National Gallery curator Ferdinand Šerbelj presenting two recently found iconic paintings by Baroque painter Fortunat Bergant, Birdman and Pretzelman.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Ljubljana
National Gallery curator Ferdinand Šerbelj presenting two recently found iconic paintings by Baroque painter Fortunat Bergant, Birdman and Pretzelman.
Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA
Ptičar (Birdman) and Prestar (Pretzelman), both painted in 1761, have been bought by the National Gallery for EUR 140,000 and are to become a part of the museum's permanent collection.
The paintings are true Baroque gems, curator Ferdinand Šerbelj said at Monday's press conference.
Since all traces of the two paintings, which were last exhibited in 1922, disappeared following the end of WWII, there were fears that they were lost forever, he told the STA.
But as it turns out, the paintings were carefully stacked in Ljubljana and the owners forgot about them.
Šerbelj was called to identify them as appraiser of Baroque works at the beginning of the year, when the last owner, who wants to remain anonymous, found them.
The owner was surprised by the find and immediately decided they belonged in the National Gallery's permanent collection.
Birdman and Pretzelman are believed to be a part of a cycle of five paintings representing the five senses. Birdman represents hearing and Pretzelman taste. The other paintings are thought to be lost.
According to Šerbelj, Birdman and Pretzelman are "extraordinary examples of Baroque genre paintings", which are very rare in the Slovenian art. No other works match the quality of Bargant's paintings though, Šerbelj said.
Since the paintings were last exhibited in 1922, only their black-and-white reproductions existed.
Šerbelj said the paintings were well preserved but would still need some restoration. The Pretzelman is slightly damaged, presumably by shots from the 18th century.
A selection of works by Bergant, including the two newly obtained pieces, will be showcased at the National Gallery next autumn.
The last exhibition of Bergant's work was set up in 1951.
Bergant is known for giving portraits a personal touch. Undergoing education in Rome, he worked for various patrons. Apart from religious motifs, he also painted portraits of noblemen.