Artmark Summer Auction announces an exceptional evening where the history of art meets the adrenaline of the auction. On Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM, the Sheraton Hotel in Zagreb will become a meeting place for art lovers and collectors, where a top selection of works from Croatian modern and post-war art will be presented at auction. The exhibited works span from the late 19th century to the avant-garde breakthroughs of the mid-20th century, introducing visitors to the story of a rich artistic heritage, from intimate portraits to monumental visions. All art lovers will be able to view the pre-auction exhibition live in Zagreb and for the first time in Split.
One of the central elements of the auction is the Bakić collection, which testifies to the greatness and vision of the sculptor, originating from the historical collection of his friend and confidant Dušan Matić. An exceptional opus of 18 lots (32 works) encompasses all creative phases of Vojin Bakić.
This collection offers a glimpse into Bakić’s transformation process from early figurative studies, through elegant animalistic motifs such as “Little Bull,” estimated at €2,000 to €3,000, to pioneering abstract forms in bronze and aluminum, e.g., his “Study for a Monument,” estimated at €800 to €1,200, which marked Croatian modernism and shaped the face of public sculpture in the second half of the 20th century.
It is an archival rarity, with works that have not been available on the market until now. A true collector’s treasure with exceptional museum potential and investment value. Speaking of works that carry archival and collectible value, the most poetic piece of the Summer Auction is a smaller format nude from the Prague phase of Vlahe Bukovac, known by the title “Bathing”, estimated at €20,000 to €30,000.
A girl surrounded by dense vegetation, with white feet immersed in lake water, radiates subtle eroticism, but also archetypal peace. A poetic depiction that reminds us of mythical water nymphs. The work is simultaneously intimate and universal, reproduced as a postcard in three languages, which speaks to its historical popularity and visual appeal. As in many of his other works, Bukovac does not merely depict the figure – he creates a icon of the harmony of nature and woman, making this nude an indispensable piece in any serious collection of Croatian modern art.
Alongside Bakić’s legacy and Bukovac’s intimate portrait, the Summer Auction brings a diverse palette of artworks that will satisfy various tastes of collectors. The auction will feature works by prominent Croatian artists such as painter Vladimir Becić, whose warm impressionistic views of rural landscapes bring a touch of classicism in the work “House Among Sunflowers” estimated at €18,000 to
€25,000, as well as works by Vasko Lipovac, known for his bright coloristic compositions and recognizable rounded forms of Mediterranean inspiration, the most significant being “Sails” estimated at €5,000 to €7,000, and the work “Krk Landscape” by Oton Gliha, estimated at €5,000 to €7,000. The diversity of the offering, which includes everything from monumental oil paintings to intimate sculptural sketches and medals, makes this auction the most comprehensive Artmark selection to date, featuring over 180 works, where every art lover can find something for themselves.
All interested audiences are invited to experience these works live at the pre-auction exhibition. The exhibition of the Summer Auction selection is open from May 17 to June 4 at the Artmark gallery (Trg Josipa Jurja Strossmayera 5, Zagreb), on weekdays and Saturdays from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Sundays from 11 AM to 4 PM. Admission to the exhibition is free for all visitors. For those who will spend the extended weekend at the end of May outside Zagreb, a smaller exhibition will be held at the Ambassador Hotel in Split (Trumbićeva obala 18, Split) from May 30 to June 1, showcasing selected works and providing insight into the auction offering in a relaxed holiday atmosphere.
The Summer Auction of Artmark 2025 will take place on Thursday, June 5, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM at the Sheraton Hotel Zagreb. Participation in the auction is open to all, and admission is free, with the possibility of prior registration for bidding via the Artmark Live platform or in person on-site.
Artmark invites collectors, experts, and art enthusiasts to join them in this celebration of art and competition. For additional information, auction catalog, or registration to participate, interested parties can contact the Artmark auction house at tel. +385 1 3885 594 or via email at [email protected]
