Exhibition of Goldsmith Works in Zagreb

A major exhibition at the Museum of the City of Zagreb is dedicated to Gothic and Renaissance Goldsmithing in Zagreb (1450-1550). Most of the objects come from the Treasury of Zagreb Cathedral, one of the largest collections of ecclesiastical silver in Central Europe. The exhibition focuses on the hundred years at the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Turkish period in the history of the Kingdoms of Hungary and Croatia. Zagreb, along with the area around it, the medieval region of Slavonia, was one of the richest areas of the joint kingdom. The bishops of Zagreb in this period came from some of the most important noble families of Hungary, as the bishopric was seen as a stepping stone towards the seats of the archbishoprics of Kalocsa or even Esztergom. 

The exhibition features over 50 large-scale goldsmith objects created during this period. In addition to liturgical objects from Zagreb cathedrals, treasures from other churches in the Zagreb Diocese are also displayed: most were relocated to Zagreb for safekeeping during the Ottoman Turkish occupation. Chronologically, the objects range from the mid-15th to the mid-16th century, and they bear late Gothic and Renaissance features, sometimes within the same object. The core part of the collection is connected to Zagreb bishops Osvát Laki Thuz, Lukács Baratin of Szeged, and Simon Erdődy. The latter was the cousin of Cardinal Tamás Bakócz, archbishop of Esztergom, and he was also a lucky survivor of the 1526 Battle of Mohács. His reign in Zagreb from 1518 to 1543 falls into the most transformative period of Hungarian and Croatian history. 

The objects on view are representative crosiers of the bishops, along with monstrances and chalices, as well as reliquaries, crosses, and other objects. Together they present a breathtaking image of the richness and variety of goldsmith art at the end of the Middle Ages. While some objects surely must have been made in Zagreb, some of the large, masterful objects must originate from Buda or from some more faraway regions of the Kingdom of Hungary, such as Kassa / Košice or even from Transylvania. The objects in the exhibition are arranged in chronological groups, but there are also some thematic units, for example, those showing objects originating from some of the most important religious institutions of medieval Slavonia. Several objects survive from Pauline Abbey of Lepoglava, including a large monstrance donated by John Corvinus, the illegitimate son of Matthias Corvinus.

Overall, the exhibition gives an incomparable overview of the high quality of goldsmith works at the end of the Middle Ages in the Kingdoms of Hungary and Croatia. The exhibition project grew out of a book, published three years ago, and written by the curator, Arijana Koprčina of the Museum of Arts and Crafts, Zagreb. The exhibition was organized by MUO, in cooperation with the Archdiocese of Zagreb. It will be on view until January 30th, 2026. Although the book is so far only available in Croation, there is a booklet availble in the exhibition, so don't hesitate - go an have a look at these treasures, it is a rare opportunity!

Crozier of bishop Osval Thuz

Jug with coats of arms of Osvald Thuz