Throughout history, Ivanec has been an unavoidable photographic destination with an exceptional influence on the development of artistic photography, even at the European level. What contributed to that?
Economic progress, especially mining and the arrival of foreigners, played a key role in shaping the photographic scene in Ivanec. Foreign experts brought with them the most modern world technology and new knowledge, enriching the socio-cultural development of the town.
The first photos of Ivanec date back to 1890
According to the available materials and authentic historical testimonies, we can state that the first photos of Ivanec around 1890 were made by the Institute of Art D. Schwidernoch, T. Schwidrenoch, Wien-Hacking, A. Schwidrnoch, Wien-Hacking and Bruder Farkas, Vienna.
Among them, Antun Vavrović, a surveyor from Ivanec, author of the rare photos of that time, stands out. He was the author of the only surviving photograph of the wooden pyramid on the Ivančica mountain. He was also the author of other rare photographs of Ivanec, the motifs of which were placed on old postcards, still unpublished. In the 20th century, many people from Ivanec, such as Otokar Hrazdira, Ivan Dolenec, Petar Jagetić, Vinko Šoštar, Cvjetko Šoštarić, Branko Težak, were actively engaged in photography, contributing to the diversity of photographic art in that period.
At that time, cameras were not available to everyone, they belonged to exclusive goods for which a large amount of money had to be allocated. There were few who could provide it, and those who could, procured cameras from Vienna and Zagreb.
The first advertising photo from Ivanec - Ivanec is always ahead of its time
The first advertising photo from Ivanec can be seen on a postcard and shows a large grocery store owned by Natan Švarc. The store was stationed on the site of today's town hall. The author of the photo is unknown.
Despite the fact that the cameras of that time were expensive and exclusive, Ivanec stood out as a center of amateur photography in the region and beyond. Merchants and publishers often appeared in photographs to promote their shops.
The first exhibition of amateur photographs
Otokar Hrazdira founded the "Photo Section" on June 30, 1931, which organized several exhibitions. The first was organized on February 21, 1932, under the name The First Exhibition of Amateur Photographs (“Prva izložba fotoamaterskih slika”), while the second was organized on January 29, 1933, under the name The Second exhibition of artistic photography (“Druga izložba umjetničke fotografije”). The most famous photographers from Yugoslavia exhibited their works at that exhibition. Among them was the celebrated artist Tošo Dabac.
This history remains a witness to the skills of all who shaped the photographic heritage of this town, preserving memories for future generations.