Velika knjiga portreta

The Great Book of Portraits is a multi-award-winning work by the acclaimed Croatian painter, sculptor, and illustrator Svjetlan Junaković, first published in 2007. This exceptional picture book appeals to readers of all ages—from the youngest children just discovering the world of visual art to adult art enthusiasts. In a highly original and witty manner, the author reinterprets some of the most famous portrait masterpieces in Western art history. Instead of humans, the portraits—inspired by greats such as Leonardo da Vinci, Velázquez, Rembrandt, and Vermeer—feature animals: a dog, a cat, a pig, a sheep, a cow, and many others. Each illustration captures the aesthetic, brushwork, and atmosphere of the original masterpiece, while accompanying short, humorous texts add a new, playful dimension to the characters. The book offers a perfect blend of education and entertainment, encouraging close observation of detail, visual literacy, and critical thinking about art. It has won the prestigious domestic "Grigor Vitez" Award and the international "BolognaRagazzi Award" at the Bologna Children's Book Fair, cementing its status as a masterpiece of contemporary children's literature.