Lost in Translation

Thursday’s Special: Symbolism

Four couples in love, a baby and an old man are shown as bronze figures surrounding a fountain in the centre of Zagreb.

The sculpture, whose life-size statues are evocative of Rodin’s work, shows movement and continuum of the cycle of life. Paired human figures are embracing the well, the source of life with joy and carelessness, driven by love, life’s greatest mystery and its ultimate purpose.

The central figure in Meštrović’s masterpiece is the old man at the end of his life who is contemplating the accumulated water (the life he lived) with regret.

starac_zdenac-potpis

par 2 zdenac_blizi_potpis

par 1_zdenac_potpis

par4 zdenac_potpis

par 3 zdenac_potpis_nova

Ivan Meštrović, the most renowned Croatian sculptor and one of the world’s greatest sculptors of the 20th century, created his “Well of Life” (Zdenac života in Croatian) while still a student in 1905. In 1912 the sculpture was placed on the square before the building of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb where it still stands.

This post is my response to guest challenge themed “symbolism” and hosted by Madhu. Please see her post and join her for this exciting challenge. Happy Thursday everyone!

Click on the links bellow to see the entries for this challenge:

Proud Kiwis

Symbolism by Klara

Tulip Festival in Istanbul

Taj Mahal

Il Duomo di Milano

Catharsis

The symbolic equipment

The Giant CITGO Sign

Croatia, Photography, Thursday’s Special

Croatia, Ivan Meštrović, sculpture, symbolism, Zagreb

75 responses to “Thursday’s Special: Symbolism”

JeffreyPaulBeauty

April 30, 2015 at 8:58 am

love it.. love art and culture

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1. Paula
  
  April 30, 2015 at 8:59 am
  
  Thanks, Jeff!
  
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Madhu

April 30, 2015 at 9:05 am

A fantastic choice for the theme of symbolism Paula! Your photos do justice to that amazing sculpture. Love the close-ups. And the accompaniment! 🙂

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1. Paula
  
  April 30, 2015 at 9:06 am
  
  Thank you, Madhu. The accompaniment is typical Croatian a cappella singing. The song’s title is “I fell in love with you”.
  
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  1. Madhu
    
    April 30, 2015 at 9:16 am
    
    It’s beautiful!
    
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Debbie Smyth

April 30, 2015 at 9:31 am

I love your close up images, Paula. The faces are so expressive.

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1. Paula
  
  April 30, 2015 at 9:32 am
  
  Ivan Meštrović was a remarkable sculptor. Thank you, Debbie 🙂
  
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76sanfermo

April 30, 2015 at 9:34 am

Molto significativo. Bellissimo.
Grazie Paula, più tardi ti mando il mio contributo…
Baci

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1. Paula
  
  April 30, 2015 at 9:35 am
  
  Grazie cara Anna. I look forward to your entry.
  
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klara

April 30, 2015 at 9:36 am

Nice post. I like the close-ups.
Here is mine:
http://lessywannagohome.blogspot.be/2015/04/thursdays-special-symbolism.html

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1. Paula
  
  May 1, 2015 at 7:16 pm
  
  I’ve only seen it from outside. This is a terrific entry for this challenge, Klara. Thank you.
  
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Tish Farrell

April 30, 2015 at 10:01 am

A fine interpretation. Especially moving is the old man gazing into the water – his reflected life – so many layers of meaning captured here, Paula.

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1. Paula
  
  April 30, 2015 at 10:02 am
  
  Glad to know you like it, Tish.
  
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ledrakenoir

April 30, 2015 at 10:39 am

Thanks to expand my horizons, didn’t know this very talented croatian sculptor… 🙂

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1. Paula
  
  April 30, 2015 at 10:56 am
  
  Entirely my pleasure, Drake 🙂
  
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2. Paula
  
  April 30, 2015 at 10:59 am
  
  Shall I expect a “symbolic” post from you? 😀
  
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  1. ledrakenoir
    
    April 30, 2015 at 11:06 am
    
    Yeah, you don’t get free nor this time… 😀
    It will pop up when you are sweet sleeping the sleep of the innocents sleep later this evening or early night… 😉
    
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    1. Paula
      
      April 30, 2015 at 11:08 am
      
      Yeahhhhhh 🙂
      
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    2. ledrakenoir
      
      April 30, 2015 at 11:08 am
      
      ‘hehe’ – one sleep too many, probably it was me who was sleeping… 😀
      
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      1. Paula
        
        April 30, 2015 at 11:11 am
        
        🙂
        
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      2. Paula
        
        May 1, 2015 at 9:45 am
        
        I had my nap, and still no entry from you? 😀
        
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Dina

April 30, 2015 at 11:46 am

Ivan Meštrović was a remarkable sculptor indeed! Thank you for sharing this beautiful art and music with us Paula.
Stor *KLEM* to you ❤

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1. Paula
  
  April 30, 2015 at 11:47 am
  
  Klem to you Dina xx
  
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Lignum Draco

April 30, 2015 at 1:27 pm

A very interesting artwork. There’s a lot of emotion in the eyes and face of the man looking into the water.

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1. Paula
  
  April 30, 2015 at 1:27 pm
  
  Yes! Thank you for looking at the post dear Dragon 🙂
  
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  1. Lignum Draco
    
    May 1, 2015 at 8:03 am
    
    No problem. Do you have a theme for this Sunday?
    
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    1. Paula
      
      May 1, 2015 at 8:15 am
      
      Hello Draco 🙂 Normally, here you can see all forthcoming challenges https://bopaula.wordpress.com/scheduled-challenges/ This Sunday I have a guest blogger participating and his theme is perspective and anti-perspective shown in two shots. Would you be willing to host a challenge (B&W or colour) some time this year. All you have to do is to come up with the theme and shots and let it be published on my blog?
      
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      1. Lignum Draco
        
        May 1, 2015 at 12:04 pm
        
        I’ll give it some thought. The hard part is guessing what weeks I will be posting.
        You know I’m taking more and more time off from blogging. It’s May, and I’ve only done 12 posts (i.e. 6 weeks of blogging) so far.
        
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        Paula
        
        May 1, 2015 at 12:09 pm
        
        I know Draco, and I am sorry you can’t spend more time on blog. I hope that it can change for you and that the reason gor your scarce appearance is not boredom.
        
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Taj Mahal, Hindustan | artishorseshit

April 30, 2015 at 1:37 pm

[…] Madhu’s guest post @ Paula’s blog – symbolism: For many people Taj Mahal is the ultimate symbol of love. For others it’s a symbol on how […]

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Cardinal Guzman

April 30, 2015 at 1:40 pm

Excellent shots Paula and a nice challenge by Madhu. I love the symbolism with the old man looking in the water.
Here’s my symbolism post, but is a symbol of love or slavery?
https://artishorseshit.wordpress.com/2015/04/30/taj-mahal-hindustan/

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1. Paula
  
  April 30, 2015 at 1:42 pm
  
  😀 It’s difficult to answer that one CG. I like your post 🙂
  
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  1. Cardinal Guzman
    
    April 30, 2015 at 1:50 pm
    
    I agree. I guess that for many (most?) people it’s a symbol of love, but since I know a little bit about the brutality behind it, I see through the ‘happy Bollywood story’-BS.
    So, for me it’s a bit of both.
    
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    1. Cardinal Guzman
      
      April 30, 2015 at 1:50 pm
      
      Love & brutality goes hand in hand. Romance has never tasted sweeter 😀
      
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      1. Paula
        
        April 30, 2015 at 2:00 pm
        
        Sounds like an advertisement for a BS movie 😀
        
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        Cardinal Guzman
        
        April 30, 2015 at 2:40 pm
        
        Hehe. I’d love to see that movie!
        
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Photography Journal Blog

April 30, 2015 at 2:46 pm

Wow, that’s beautiful.

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1. Paula
  
  April 30, 2015 at 4:24 pm
  
  Thank you. I’m pleased you like it.
  
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NW Frame of Mind

April 30, 2015 at 3:18 pm

Touching choices, Paula from the fountain and water to the expressions and human relationships. Lovely choice.

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1. Paula
  
  April 30, 2015 at 3:24 pm
  
  🙂 So happy you like it, Lisa.
  
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smilecalm

April 30, 2015 at 5:44 pm

i’m grateful to have
experienced this piece
here 🙂

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1. Paula
  
  May 1, 2015 at 7:48 am
  
  How nice of you 🙂 Thank you very much for your visit.
  
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Linda Arthur Tejera

April 30, 2015 at 9:03 pm

A beautiful and amazing sculpture, Paula, and perfect for “symbolism.” 🙂

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1. Paula
  
  May 1, 2015 at 7:49 am
  
  Thanks Linda. I am happy when I manage to show some of the unique pieces of art in my town, This one is really outstanding.
  
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76sanfermo

April 30, 2015 at 10:34 pm

I’ve just posted my contribution…
The Duomo of Milan as a symbol of the Expo 2015 , starting tomorrow!
Bye , Paula!

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1. Paula
  
  May 1, 2015 at 7:17 pm
  
  Inspiring structure 🙂 Thank you very much for your contribution, Anna.
  
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bumbartusti

May 1, 2015 at 2:13 am

Just fantastic presentation of one of the most iconic, recognizable and unique sculptures in Zagreb. I dare say “Well of Life” is for Zagreb what Lady Liberty is for New York, Eiffel Tower for Paris and Big Ben for London. Any other sculpture or landmark from Zagreb can easily be misplaced in any other European city but not the Well of Life. If you ever visit Zagreb try to find it, sit around it, throw a coin in it and make a wish.

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1. Paula
  
  May 1, 2015 at 7:48 am
  
  🙂 🙂 🙂
  
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Catharsis | Art and Life

May 1, 2015 at 9:15 am

[…] Lost in Translation – symbolism […]

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Suzanne

May 1, 2015 at 9:18 am

A deeply moving sculpture – how sad to live a life and then feel regret at the end. Here’s my contribution to the challenge http://artifactsandfictions.com/2015/05/01/catharsis/

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1. Paula
  
  May 1, 2015 at 9:20 am
  
  Thank you very much, Suzanne. I’m glad that the artist in you could appreciate this outstanding work.
  
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  1. Suzanne
    
    May 1, 2015 at 9:27 am
    
    Yes, it is finely carved and so emotive. A profound work.
    
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    1. Paula
      
      May 1, 2015 at 7:22 pm
      
      Thank you again for your “Catharsis” Suzanne. I like everything about it – the landscape, composition, colour.
      
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      1. Suzanne
        
        May 1, 2015 at 11:53 pm
        
        Thanks again Paula. Madhu’s prompt stimulated my imagination
        
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The symbolic equipment | Le Drake Noir

May 1, 2015 at 9:53 am

[…] The symbolic but inspirng ‘kick’ from Paula’s Thursday’s Special, this week “Symbolism“ […]

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Raewyn’s Photos

May 1, 2015 at 11:00 pm

So interesting and evocative. Love this

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1. Paula
  
  May 2, 2015 at 9:46 am
  
  Wouldn’t it be great if you could visit some day? 🙂
  
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phb2003

May 2, 2015 at 3:38 pm

a beauty of a sculpture – and to think he was a student when he made it?

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1. Paula
  
  May 8, 2015 at 8:57 am
  
  Yes! Rodin said about Mestrovic that he is “greatest phenomenon amongst the sculptors of the world”, and he even posed to him for his portrait in Mestrovic’s studio in Rome. It was a mutual admiration 🙂
  
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  1. phb2003
    
    May 8, 2015 at 9:39 am
    
    how cool…..
    
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morselsandscraps

May 3, 2015 at 11:53 am

A beautiful series of the whole sculpture, details and setting. And another thing I missed in Zagreb! Thank you.

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1. Paula
  
  May 3, 2015 at 12:02 pm
  
  Next time I’ll show you around.
  
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365dniwobiektywielg

May 3, 2015 at 5:43 pm

This is a remarkable masterpiece

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1. Paula
  
  May 4, 2015 at 2:16 pm
  
  Yes, it is. I am glad you visited my blog and discovered it. 🙂
  
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  1. 365dniwobiektywielg
    
    May 4, 2015 at 4:17 pm
    
    Super that he was driving and keep typing
    
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hilarycustancegreen

May 4, 2015 at 8:04 am

This is a knockout sculpture. I love the symbolism and the way the bronze is gleaming from the touch of many hands.

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1. Paula
  
  May 4, 2015 at 8:13 am
  
  So glad you like it Hilary. Did you have a chance to see some of Mestrovic’s work before?
  
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restlessjo

May 9, 2015 at 12:35 am

What a fabulous sculpture! I so want to stroke it! 🙂

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1. Paula
  
  May 9, 2015 at 11:31 am
  
  Mestrovic was one of the world’s greatest sculptors of the 20th century, and this is one of his earliest works.
  
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jmsabbagh

May 9, 2015 at 4:17 pm

Unique post ,a universal message. Best regards.

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1. Paula
  
  May 9, 2015 at 4:20 pm
  
  Hello Jalal 🙂 I am very happy that you have seen this post. You are right about the universal message. So lovely to see your comment. Best wishes to you and your family.
  
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  1. jmsabbagh
    
    May 9, 2015 at 4:23 pm
    
    Wishing you the same Paula.
    
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themofman

May 23, 2015 at 2:11 am

Excellent post. Sculpture is an art that I have long wished that I had a natural gift for. I have always loved it, especially Renaissance and Beaux Arts bronze work. It is so expressive.

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1. Paula
  
  May 23, 2015 at 9:12 pm
  
  That’s a thing we have in common, Allan. Of all the visual art, sculpture is my favourite.
  
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Circle of Love | Lost in Translation

March 11, 2016 at 8:54 pm

[…] Croatian most renowned sculptor Ivan Meštrović titled the Well of Life. Maybe you recall seeing his work before on my […]

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