Collection of Photographs

The beginning of collecting and keeping photographic material is related to the foundation of the Croatian School Museum itself. We can trace it to the first inventory books, or imovnice (1901). The early archival materials related to the activity of the Croatian Pedagogical-Literary Assembly (1871) also testifies to the collection of items for the future museum.

Travelling photographers, both domestic and foreign, were the authors of the first preserved photographs related to the school system. With the opening of first permanent photographic studios in Zagreb and other cities (Pommer, Standl, Mosinger, Warga, Weinrich etc.), taking photographs was becoming more accessible and more common.

Thanks to the participation of Croatia, more precisely of the Department of Worship and Teaching, at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900, two wonderful photo albums were created (Pictures of school life…, Album of pupils’ games…), which contain around thirty photographs each, showing the work of nursery schools, primary schools, orphanages, vocational schools, teacher schools, and testifying to the care of blind, weak-sighted, deaf and mute children, to the development of physical education and many other things.

Photographs showing the establishment of the Croatian School Museum (its appearance and the original exhibition), the opening of first teacher associations, some prominent teachers and their professional development, and the construction of many of the schools are also very valuable.

Museum photographs from the twentieth century range from those with an artistic value (Kulčar, Miffek, Mjeda and other professional photographic studios) to amateur photographs of lower quality, but of immense documentary relevance. Photographs were typically taken of (classes of) pupils with their teachers, usually at the end of the school year or on special occasions (first communion, school leaving party, Pioneer membership ceremony, etc.). Among the important photographs are also those testifying to the damage to schools caused by the Second World War and the Croatian War of Independence, as well as to the war sufferings of children.

Photographs, or albums, would most often be given to the Museum by teachers or former pupils, and they were frequently part of legacies containing other kinds of materials (certificates, textbooks, objects, etc.).

Approximately 12,000 photographs are thematically categorised into several units: the system of education (per locale), people, teaching and other institutions, organisations and associations. Many researchers use them to uncover the history of their schools, particularly on occasions of important anniversaries.

Anita Zlomislić
Director of Museum