Jordan (Vasilije Jordan)

Tonko Maroević's monograph on Vasilij Jordan from 1989 presents a thorough analysis of the work of one of the most poetic and recognizable Croatian painters of the second half of the 20th century. Maroević explores Jordan's fantastical-realistic world, characterized by dreamy scenes, metaphysical environments and precise, almost old master painting discipline. The book shows Jordan's development from early works that combine tradition and personal imagination, through the construction of a characteristic magical realism, to a mature phase in which visionary landscapes, quiet architecture, symbolic scenes and characters that act as guardians of the inner spaces of consciousness stand out. The artist's ability to create an atmosphere of seclusion, silence and contemplation is especially emphasized. Maroević analyzes Jordan's technique - precise drawing, layered modeling, refined tonality - and his thematic preoccupations: enigmatic figures, mythological outlines, space of associative journeys and an intimate metaphysical landscape. The monograph contains reproductions of works, a chronology of creativity, and interpretations that place Jordan in the broader context of Croatian figuration and fantastic art.