Katarina Ivanović

Katarina Ivanović is regarded as the first Serbian female painter in modern art history. Born in the Austrian Empire, she paved the way as a professional artist during an era when it was difficult for women to enter society.¹

In 1835, she enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. At that time, it was very rare for women to study at the academy, and her passion and talent drove her to knock on the doors of this conservative institution.¹

Between 1843 and 1845, she furthered her studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. Her travels to Italy, France, and Holland were also crucial in nurturing her international artistic sensibility.¹

From 1846 to 1847, she worked in Belgrade, painting portraits of notable figures such as Princess Persida Nenadović. Her works from this period are valuable records of Serbian high society at the time.¹

In 1876, she became the first female member of the Serbian Learned Society. This was a historic moment where her artistic achievements were recognized at a national level.¹

She was one of the founders of the National Museum in Belgrade. She bequeathed most of her paintings to the museum, making a significant contribution to the preservation and development of Serbian cultural heritage.¹