National Gallery

Description:

• Housed in an interesting architectural juxtaposition of two 19th-century buildings linked by a modern structure in glass and steel, the Narodna Galerija holds the country's largest collection of Slovenian paintings, which are surprisingly good. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the thorough survey of the nation's early modern artists, including work by Mihael Stoj (1803-71), Biedermeier portraitist Joef Tominc (1790-1866), and the Slovene landscapes of Marko Pernhart (1824-71) and Pavel Künl (1817-71). Look out for the interesting works of "realist-Impressionist" Ferdo Vesel (1861-1946) and notable 19th-century painter Anton Azbe (1862-1905). Also here are works by the first internationally reputable female Slovene artist, Ivana Kobilca (1861-1926), whose pale portraits are exquisitely ghostlike. Ivan Grohar's (1867-1911) modernist techniques include excellent use of color, and there are some striking canvases by Richard Jakopic (1896-1943). Galleries of older, classical works include 17th-century Hans Georg Geiger a Geigerfeld's St. George Slaying the Dragon featuring a rather sci-fi-looking beast.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Very Highly Recommended 2010