• Second half of the 15th c,
• tempera/wood and gilding
• 121x57 cm

The picture was made by a painter from Dubrovnik. The restoration works of 1986/87 revealed that it was painted over a number of times. The first layer dating back to the early 15th century has been preserved only in fragments. From this period only a schematic depiction of the town model on St. Blasius' hand has remained. In the middle layer, currently visible up to a half, the town was minutely painted over the previous one (with smaller alterations), with two municipal coats of arms visible in the bottom section. St. Blasius' robe is also painted in greater detail and in lighter colours. The style of painting of this layer is the closest to that of Lovro Dobricevic (around 1420-1478), who was born in Kotor and educated in Venice. From 1459 until the end of his prolific life, Dobricevic was resident in Dubrovnik. He co-operated with many Dubrovnik painters and also taught younger generations of artists. As a painter, Dobricevic was active on the whole territory of the Dubrovnik Republic, as well as in Bosnia and his native town Kotor. In his work, he was assisted by his family: his wife and sons Marin and Vicko Lovrin, who followed in their father's footsteps. In the early 16th century, the painting was completely repainted, with all previous outlines preserved, except for St. Blasius' head and right arm which remained unchanged. Upon restoration, the most valuable middle layer of the painting was completely removed. It is interesting to note that this painting once adorned the walls of the Piarist school and was later moved to the Dubrovnik secondary school that was temporarily located in the Sponza palace. The painting was eventually relocated to the Rector's Palace.

Copyright MDC & Carnet
design NOVENA, Zagreb