| Prešeren Monument | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Artist | Statue:Ivan Zajec Pedestal: concept by Ivan Zajec, design byMax Fabiani, stonemasonAlojzij Vodnik |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Location | Ljubljana |
| Coordinates | 46°3′5.07″N14°30′22.71″E / 46.0514083°N 14.5063083°E /46.0514083; 14.5063083 |
ThePrešeren Monument in Ljubljana (Slovene:Prešernov spomenik), alsoPrešeren Statue in Ljubljana, is a lateHistoricistbronze statue of the Slovenenational poetFrance Prešeren inLjubljana, the capital of Slovenia.[1] It stands in the eastern side ofPrešeren Square, in front of theCentral Pharmacy Building. It is among the best-known Slovenian monuments.[2]
The statue that stands on a pedestal includes a sculpture of the poet, facing the window where his adoredJulija Primic used to live, and a sculpture of a half nakedmuse above him sitting on a rock and holding alaurel 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 hisPoems (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]
The pedestal of Prešeren's statue is made ofPohorje 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 ofTyrolian granite.[6] It was made by the stonemasonAlojzij Vodnik per a design byMax Fabiani, who based his work on a concept byIvan 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'sPoems.[3] The right one, titledFarewell (Slovo) orČrtomir and Bogomila (Črtomir in Bogomila), depicts a scene from the poemThe Baptism on the Savica. The left one, titledFisherman (Ribič), depicts a scene from the poemFisherman.[8] The reliefs on the pedestal were created by Zajec in 1901.[9][3] They have aClassicist composition, aRealist cadre, an impressionist final touch, and emphasise Prešeren'sRomantic poetry with its content.[2] The upper part of the pedestal is decorated with a stylisedlime tree, reminding of the poet's homeland's symbol.[1]
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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 mayorIvan 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 themFranc Berneker,Anton Bitežnik [sl],Jakob Žnider [sl],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 ofHans Makart inVienna.[2] The model for Prešeren was Prešeren's portrait byGoldenstein, 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 fromTrieste. The monument of Prešeren was cast inKrupp [de] 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 71,000kronen, 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 byIvan Tavčar.[3] A biography of Prešeren with some of his poems was published byEngelbert Gangl [sl] on the occasion.[10] The naked muse became a bone of contention for some townspeople, especially for bishopAnton Bonaventura Jeglič [sl].[11]
