Oko baroka
On the Baroque

Summary/Abstract: Although some of the critiques stated that Croatian ethnologists, when writing in the first half of the 20th century did not introduce theoretical discourse in their studies, this paper shows that some of the studies by Mirko Kus-Nikolajev include theoretical considerations on ethnographic data. Analysing the textile fabrics from Banija, Slavonija and Baranja regions, Kus-Nikolajev used a notion “peasant baroque”. He finds baroque reflections on two levels: in direct taking over of some fashionable elements, and in the reshaping of baroque ornamentation which had a basis in oriental art. More recent studies of some other ethnologists have found baroque features in the ornamentation and embroidery technics, the shape of the garb, as well as in the outlook of rural architecture in the 19th century. The differentiation between a historical and “ahistorical” (typological) using of the notion of baroque, proposed by Heinrich Wölfflin, will help identify some other baroque features and, also, discuss the justifiableness in using the notion of a style, including the possibilities of interpretation.

• Details
• Contents