MENCI CLFMENT CRNČIC Ah/D THE BEGINING OF MODERhl CROATIAN GRAPHICS

Modevn Croatia>i graphics commenced u ith Mene/ Clement Cr»čić (1865 —19 30) in 1890-ies. After the sti<đy of painting in Vienna and Mu>lic/i, /ie e»vo//eđ l>1 tlie Acađe>;!y of Visual Art s i n Vi enna, Department of Graphics, p>ofessor William Unger, a famo<<s graphic artist (1837 — 1932). Crnčić chose etching, i» uhich he, as daring the technique, d elicate and sensitive in drau\u27ing, and b esieged by t h e problem of light and shadou\u27 as he was, created u orks some of ivhich outshine his seascnpes. He u\u27as first t o use graphics as a tool of independe»ć artisćic expressvov<. an đ thus pmvided and equal positio>i of the tech>iique along with painting and sculpture i n the h!story of i >isual arts in Croatia. He u>as the first educateđ graphic artist uho achieved a European leve/ professionalism i» hi s u>ork. With both his uorks and educational activities, he also confributed to the development of »<odem Croatian graphic, having edi