Ru��a Me��trovi�� and Ivan Me��trovi�� - Artists and Friends

The correspondence between Ruža and Ivan Meštrović from the family archive reveals valuable data mostly unpublished so far on the artistic world of Europe (Vienna Paris Rome Geneva London Prague Barcelona Valencia) the U.S. (Washington D. C. Chicago New York) South America (Buenos Aires Montevideo) and Zagreb Split Dubrovnik and Belgrade from 1903 when they first met until 1942 the year of Ruža’s death. Their long letters during their marriage and after the divorce show an extraordinary abundance of event coverage like travels to organize exhibitions or portray various people – famous and influential or simply lovely children – planning of exhibitions and discussing their future artworks revealing details of studio work costs of sculpture materials and maintenance transportation of works and mending the damage they suffered during transfer collaboration with carvers and casters and above all supporting their large families and closest friends fellow artists whom they abetted throughout their lives with warmth and understanding.