Prešeren Monument (Ljubljana)

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 in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. It is among the best-known Slovenian monuments.^[2]

Prešeren Monument
Artist	Statue: Ivan Zajec Pedestal: concept by Ivan Zajec, design by Max Fabiani, stonemason Alojzij Vodnik
Type	Sculpture
Location	Ljubljana
Coordinates	46°3′5.07″N 14°30′22.71″E

Statue

Detail of the statue of Prešeren

Sculpture of the muse

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 Muse above him sitting on a rock and holding a laurel branch in her hand.^[3] The poet is dressed in the outfit of the period and holds a book symbolising his Poems (Poezije).^[4][5] 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 small statue on the building that Prešeren faces, as well.^[6]

Pedestal

Farewell, relief by Ivan Zajec on the pedestal of the Prešeren Monument

The pedestal of Prešeren's statue is made of Pohorje tonalite and has three steps.^[4][5] Above it, there is a cut rock block with the inscription "Prešeren".^[2][4] The lighter base of the muse is made of Tyrolian granite.^[5] 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.^[6]

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.^[7] The reliefs on the pedestal were created by Zajec in 1901.^[8][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

Celebration ahead of the unveiling of the monument

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.^[6] Hribar announced a competition in 1899.^[9] Seven sculptors submitted their proposals in time,^[3][9] among them Franc Berneker, Anton Bitežnik [sl], Jakob Žnider [sl], Alojzij Progar, and finally Ivan Zajec, who won it.^[9] He received the commission on 18 October 1900.^[9]

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 [de] foundry in Vienna (Kaiserlich Königliche Kunst-Erzgießerei)^[9] in September 1903, and the muse was cast in the beginning of 1904.^[6] The costs for the entire monument were around 71,000 kronen, largely raised by Slovene women and various societies.^[9]

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 [sl] on the occasion.^[9]