Treasures of NSK Print Collection presented as part of 2026 “Heritage at Hand at CroAtrium” event #3

Objavljeno: 28.04.2026

Participants in the third “Heritage at Hand at CroAtrium” programme.

The Print Collection of the National and University Library in Zagreb (NSK) hosted the third event of the Library’s 2026 Heritage at Hand at CroAtrium programme, aimed at the promotion and popularisation of treasures in NSK’s collections.

Professor at the Graphic Arts Department of the Zagreb Academy of Fine Arts Miran Šabić brought closer to the event participants lithography, one of the most widespread graphic arts technique.

Professor at the Graphic Arts Department of the Zagreb Academy of Fine Arts Miran Šabić and Head of the NSK Print Collection Tamara Ilić Olujić.

In giving a historical overview of the development of lithographic printing, Professor Šabić spoke of the Academy’s role in providing foundations for making lithography an important part of Croatian artistic heritage. He singled out as particularly momentous in this context the introduction into its programme in 1956 of the study of graphic arts, the first such academic programme in Croatia.

The beginnings of lithography – well-preserved in the NSK Print Collection

Although lithography is very much alive today and is still developing after almost more than 230 years since its invention, its beginnings continue to be a subject of research. Apart from the Academy’s Department and its lithography workshop, NSK Print Collection also plays a significant part in preserving the history of lithography in Croatia, curating historical material such as the lithographs of Julius Hühn, the pioneer of Croatian lithographic printing.

Also, the Collection’s lithographic prints by Marijan Detoni, Albert Kinert, Frane Paro and other Croatian artists who marked 70 years of the Department’s work represent a valuable record of its development during the decades.

Croatica – a treasure trove of inspiration for new generations

The programme included a step-by-step presentation of the process of making lithographs, in which the pupils of the School of Applied Arts and Design in Zagreb (ŠPUD) showed special interest.

Also, the event participants had the opportunity to see a selection of lithographs from the NSK Print Collection by Tomislav Krizman, Ljubo Babić and other notable Croatian artists, as well as by famous names of world art such as Joan Miró and Käthe Kollwitz.

In addition to lithographs, items in the Collection include woodcuts, engravings, etchings, linocuts and other types of prints, as well as drawings, art posters, postcards, print portfolios and art books. Hoping that we have successfully brought its treasures to the attention of those who have yet to leave their mark on lithographic tradition and pass it on to future generations, we continue to build it as the largest collection of its kind in Croatia and an especially valuable part of Croatica.