Description
One of the most important World Expos at the turn of the century was held in Paris in 1900, under the name Exposition Universelle 1900. It lasted from April to November and had over 50 million visitors. The exhibition presented numerous scientific and technological achievements of the time. The first modern Olympic Games outside of Greece were also held as part of the Exposition Universelle 1900.
The pavilion of the Kingdom of Serbia, resembling Serbian monasteries in the Serbian-Byzantine style, covering an area of 550m2, was erected on the banks of the Seine. It was designed by the professor of the Great School Milan Kapetanović and the architect Milorad Ruvidić. In it, Serbia exhibited folk handicrafts, agricultural products, mineral waters, brandies and wines, ores and minerals, as well as furniture, carpets and products of the Kragujevac Topolivnica (Cannon Foundry), which presented the trade, production and industrial potential of Serbia.
The works of art exhibited in our pavilion, which depict themes from national history and folk life, were created by the most famous Serbian artists of the time, including Paja Jovanović, Đorđe Krstić, Marko Murat, Rista and Beta Vukanović, Petar Ubavkić, Leon Koen and Simeon Roksandić.
Serbia’s notable and thoroughly prepared performance was crowned with numerous awards – Grand Prix awards and gold, silver and bronze medals. One of them went to mathematician, professor of the Great School and academician Mihailo Petrović Alas, for an analogue computer for solving differential equations. Paja Jovanović’s monumental artistic composition Coronation of Emperor Dušan, painted by order of the Government of the Kingdom of Serbia, and Đorđe Jovanović’s sculpture Kosovo Monument were awarded gold medals.
Stamp motifs: Pavle Paja Jovanović, Coronation of Emperor Dušan (1900), oil on canvas; Tony Szirmai, Plaque of the Kingdom of Serbia, Exposition Universelle 1900, Paris, silver-plated bronze. Works from the collection of the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade.
Professional cooperation: National Museum of Serbia, Belgrade
Artistic realization of the issue: MA Jakša Vlahović, academic graphic artist
