Jelkin bosiljak / Preko mora

The diptych comprising Jelka’s Basil (1881) and Across the Sea (1882) represents a body of exceptionally important works by Eugen Kumičić, in which the author returns to his native Istria to portray the authentic lives, customs, and arduous fates of the Istrian people in the late 19th century. The story Jelka’s Basil is a poignant and tragic love story about a young woman named Jelka and her fiancé, the sailor Ivo. Through the symbolism of basil—a flower representing devotion and love—Kumičić depicts the suffering, uncertainty, and longing of those left on the shore, awaiting the return of their loved ones from perilous seas. The story radiates warmth, regional color, and emotional intensity. In contrast, Across the Sea focuses on a pressing social issue of the era: the forced emigration of Istrian peasants. Driven by poverty, exploitation by Venetian and Austrian authorities, and various misfortunes, the locals are compelled to leave their homeland and embark on an uncertain journey to South America. In both works, Kumičić skillfully blends elements of realism and early naturalistic techniques with strong patriotic undertones. Through the lives of ordinary people, he addresses themes of preserving national identity, the unbreakable bond with one’s native soil, and the harsh social conditions of the Istrian coast.