Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Self-Portrait

Name Class Date

Đoko Mazalić, Self-Portrait (1939), National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Đoko Mazalić topimpressionists.com/en/artists/doko-mazalic/
Artist’s dates
1888 – 1975
Painted
1939
Original size
47 x 43 cm
Held at
National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina topimpressionists.com/en/museums/national-gallery-of-bosnia-and-herzegovina-sarajevo/

In context

Self-Portrait — Đoko Mazalić

How big is it?

The original measures 47 × 43 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1880
  2. 1890
  3. 1900
  4. 1910
  5. 1920
  6. 1930
  7. 1940
  8. 1950
  9. 1960
  10. 1970

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 87 at death.

Painted when the artist was 51. The artist lived to 87. 18 of the 25 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Đoko Mazalić (1888–1975) ▲ this work, 1939 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1921 Main working years: 1921–1939 Late works: from 1939

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

  • Old Town, 1931 topimpressionists.com/en/art/doko-mazalic-old-town-D7S9NB-en/
  • Diggers, 1918 topimpressionists.com/en/art/doko-mazalic-diggers-D7S9MP-en/
  • Dependent, 1928 topimpressionists.com/en/art/doko-mazalic-dependent-D7S97D-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/doko-mazalic-self-portrait-D7SA4S-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Quinacridone Magenta #8a5b3c

    Catalogued palette

    • #8A5B3C
    • #603E2B
    • #2E241B
    • #443124

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Quinacridone Magenta
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Serene How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Deep_shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Đoko Mazalić over the last twelve months — 4 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 66.7%
    2. 2 Bosnia and Herzegovina 11.1%
    3. 3 France 11.1%
    4. 4 United States of America 11.1%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 9 most looked-at works by Đoko Mazalić

    1. 1 Motif from Vranduk, 1920 20.0%
    2. 2 Landscape, 1913 20.0%
    3. 3 Conversation with Flowers, 1964 10.0%
    4. 4 Old Town, 1931 10.0%
    5. 5 Informal Settlement, 1962 10.0%
    6. 6 Periphery, 1962 10.0%
    7. 7 In the foothills of Mount Jahorina, 1956 10.0%
    8. 8 A Heroic End, 1932 10.0%
    9. Self-Portrait, 1939 this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 25 works by this artist, of which 8 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Đoko Mazalić

    Born in Bosanska Kostunica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    early life and education

    đoko mazalić, a renowned bosnian artist, was born in 1888 in bosanska kostajnica. he was one of the first generation of art school-trained painters, alongside notable artists like gabrijel jurkić, petar tiješić, and špiro bocarić. mazalić's artistic journey began with his studies at the academy of fine arts in budapest from 1910 to 1914.

    artistic career and style

    mazalić's body of work is characterized by its stylistic versatility and qualitative consistency. his paintings, particularly landscapes, are among his best works, showcasing his unique interpretation of nature. motif from vranduk (1920), a landscape piece, demonstrates his ability to capture the essence of the natural world. notable works:

    landscape (1913), national gallery of bosnia and herzegovina

    motif from vogošća (1930), national gallery of bosnia and herzegovina

    village under snow (1930), national gallery of bosnia and herzegovina

    teaching and legacy

    from 1923 to 1945, mazalić worked as a teacher in sarajevo, leaving an indelible mark on the art scene. his influence can still be seen in the works of younger artists who followed in his footsteps. view more works by đoko mazalić:

    đoko mazalić's artworks

    the istván dobó museum (eger, hungary) - a rich cultural heritage (featuring a different artist, but showcasing the museum's art collection)

    conclusion

    đoko mazalić's artistic legacy is a testament to his innovative approach and dedication to capturing the beauty of bosnia and herzegovina. his works continue to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike, cementing his place in the annals of bosnian art history. related artists:

    gabrijel jurkić

    petar tiješić

    špiro bocarić

    view more:

    đoko mazalić's profile on AllPaintingsStore.com

    đoko mazalić - wikipedia

    Museum

    National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina

    On show in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    A Sanctuary of Resilience: The Soul of Sarajevo

    In the beating heart of Sarajevo, a city that has weathered the most profound storms of the twentieth century, stands the

    National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina

    as a luminous testament to the enduring power of human creativity. To walk through its doors is to enter a space where the scars of history meet the triumph of the artistic spirit, offering a profound dialogue between a turbulent past and an aspirational future. It serves as a sanctuary where the collective memory of a people is preserved within the delicate strokes of paint and the heavy textures of stone. The gallery remains a crucial platform where the echoes of history meet the pulse of the present, continuing to serve as a vital organ for a nation seeking to redefine itself through beauty and cultural continuity.

    The soul of the collection lies in its remarkable ability to weave together diverse threads of identity, ranging from the sacred to the avant-garde. Collectors and art enthusiasts will find themselves captivated by the

    Ferdinand Hodler Collection

    , where the profound influence of Swiss Symbolism breathes life into landscapes that feel both deeply grounded in nature and spiritually transcendent. This ethereal quality is balanced by the robust presence of Yugoslavian Masters, whose works provide an expansive, sweeping panorama of twentieth-century trends, capturing the complex cultural shifts and the evolving identity of a region in flux. For those drawn to the weight of tradition, the gallery’s

    Icon Collection

    offers a meditative journey through Orthodox Christian heritage, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship and devotional intensity of centuries of religious artistry.

    Architectural Elegance and Modernist Ambition

    The architecture of the museum itself serves as a physical manifestation of Sarajevo's modernist ambitions. Designed by the Czech architect

    Karel Pařík

    , the structure is a masterclass in symmetrical elegance, composed of four distinct pavilions that reflect the organized optimism of the post-war period. Each pavilion was originally intended to house specialized departments—archaeology, ethnology, and natural history—and today, this layout creates a rhythmic, exploratory experience for the visitor. The clean lines and modernist aesthetic provide a sophisticated backdrop that complements both the heavy textures of classical sculpture and the ephemeral nature of contemporary installations, making it an inspiring destination for interior designers seeking to understand the intersection of structural form and curated atmosphere.

    Beyond its permanent treasures, the institution distinguishes itself through its commitment to evolution. It remains a vibrant laboratory for what is yet to come, frequently engaging its audience through:

    Rotating photography exhibits

    that challenge modern social dynamics.

    Contemporary art installations

    that bridge the gap between global movements and local identity.

    A continuous dialogue

    between historical preservation and modern artistic expression.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Self-Portrait

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/doko-mazalic-self-portrait-D7SA4S-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Mazalić, Đoko. Self-Portrait. 1939, National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/doko-mazalic-self-portrait-D7SA4S-en/
    APA
    Mazalić, Đoko (1939). Self-Portrait [Painting]. National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/doko-mazalic-self-portrait-D7SA4S-en/
    Chicago
    Đoko Mazalić. Self-Portrait. 1939. National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/doko-mazalic-self-portrait-D7SA4S-en/
    Harvard
    Mazalić, Đoko (1939) Self-Portrait. National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/doko-mazalic-self-portrait-D7SA4S-en/

    Look closely

    Self-Portrait — Đoko Mazalić

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Look back at Old Town (1931), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. Đoko Mazalić was about 51 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
    5. What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Questions & Answers

    What aliases or alternate names does Đoko Mazalić have?

    Đoko Mazalić is also known as Đoko Mazalic.

    What colors dominate "Self-Portrait" by Đoko Mazalić?

    The color identity of "Self-Portrait" by Đoko Mazalić: an earthy palette, dominated by quinacridone magenta (#8a5b3c).

    Is "Self-Portrait" held in the country of its creator?

    Yes - the artwork is kept in the artist's home country. "Self-Portrait" is held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Đoko Mazalić was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina.