СЕДАМ ДОСИТЕЈЕВИХ ОМИЉЕНИХ КЊИГА
DOSITEJ᾽S SEVEN FAVOURITE BOOKS

Summary/Abstract: Painter Arsenije Arsa Teodorović, one of the first Serbian academically educated painters, met Dositej Obradović during his studies in Vienna and painted his portrait in 1793, which was, sadly, lost. He painted a rather accurate copy of that portrait in 1818. Teodorvić᾽s portrait of Dositej Obradović bears a special, emblematic significance for the Serbian culture. It was created as a result of mutual respect, understanding and friendship between the writer Dositej Obradović and the painter Arsa Teodorović. It is important to mention that Teodorović left an interesting note about the seven favourite books that Dositej leaned on in the portrait. They are Träume eines Menschenfreundes; L’Homme de trompé (Ou Le Criticon); Homeri Ilias; Baconis Sermones; Lettres morales I and II; The Spectator I and II, while the title of the seventh book is unknown because Dositej covered it with his hands. But the title of the seventh book is believed to be Fables. It is unknown that among the selected authors is the famous Spanish writer Baltasar Gracián (Baltasar Gracián, 1601–1658). Apparently, Dositej had the French translation of his novel El Criticón in his library. Dositej selected exceptional works of philosophers and writers from antiquity to his contemporaries, which are still appreciated today. His choice confirms his fondness for the ideology of enlightenment and that his favourite works were those that could point out to the readers the essence of human life, to guide one, to teach one, to be useful to one. He tried to be useful to his people in everything, even the selection of favourite books. Unfortunately, Dositej᾽s library, which he collected all his life, was lost.

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