Matica Srpska Gallery Opens Bicentennial Exhibition of Core Artistic Collection

The Gallery of Matica Srpska (GMS) in Novi Sad is presenting the major exhibition, "Artistic Collection of Matica Srpska," running from February 16, 2026, through May 24, 2026. This presentation serves as a central event marking the 200th anniversary of Matica Srpska, which was founded in Pest in 1826 as the oldest Serbian cultural and scientific institution. According to Dr. Tijana Palkovljević Bugarski, Director of GMS, the exhibition's primary objective is to visually interpret the founders' original mandate: the dedicated cultivation of Serbian culture, language, literature, and scientific inquiry through artistic means.

The institution's collection has historically mirrored the visual identity of the Serbian people, beginning with portraits of its founders, presidents, secretaries, and benefactors. This continuous accumulation of works includes pieces by key historical figures such as Teodor Pavlović, Milana Savić, and Jovan Đorđević, alongside contributions from artist Vojislav Šikoparić, whose work defines a specific segment of the exhibition's narrative. The presentation is explicitly dedicated to honoring the legacy of these secretaries, emphasizing their role in the institution's continuity. Matica Srpska, established by Jovan Hadžić and other figures of the Serbian National Revival, relocated its headquarters to Novi Sad in 1864, a move that contributed to the city becoming known as the 'Athens of Serbia' for its intellectual significance.

The exhibition incorporates a dedicated section commemorating the bicentennial by displaying works from prominent post-World War II cultural figures, including Lazar and Savet Stojković, Olga and Kosta Milutinović, Sofija Šaškijević, and Suzana and Borivoj Samolovač. The contemporary relevance of the collection is further highlighted by a documentary display featuring a recently discovered drawing by painter Miodrag Mihaillović, whose holdings at Matica Srpska total approximately 50 pieces. Stanislava Jovanović Mindić, the exhibition's author, noted that the presentation integrates modern design elements and a virtual tour to enhance visitor immersion, aligning with GMS's ongoing evolution into a 21st-century institution.

Dr. Branka Kulić, Deputy Director of GMS, underscored the enduring significance of the named figures within the collection, suggesting their documented presence ensures their legacy. The project received financial support from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia. The exhibition demonstrates Matica Srpska's ongoing relevance through works by modern artists referencing institutional milestones, such as pieces created in 2016 and graphics produced in 2024 for the 200th anniversary of the Chronicle. The foundational goal set in 1826—to preserve Serbian national and cultural identity under Austro-Hungarian rule—established Matica Srpska as a model for other Slavic 'Maticas' across Europe. The Gallery itself, established in 1847 as the Serbian National Collection, currently houses over 7,000 paintings representing the nation's artistic history.