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Ivan Gundulić (Giovanni Gondola)
was born in Ragusa in wealthy Dubrovnik noble family who provided
him
with
excellent education in his native City. His teacher was, amongst the
other distinguished humanist, also Camilly who wrote the
continuation of the Tasso’s epic. After humanities studies with the
Jesuits he studied roman low and jurisprudence in general. During
his life Gundulić held several public offices and on two occasions
he was the rector of Konavle, as well as being a Senator and member
of the Small Council.
He began to write in early ages drawn by, in that time very popular
pastoral melodramas performed in Dubrovnik. Writing poems and
showing his owns plays in front of the Rector’s Palace made him
famous, although he published only his larger works.
His most famous works are a poem The tears of the Prodigal
son based on well-known biblical motive and pastoral allegory
Dubravka, a play in which he cherishes the former glory of
Dubrovnik. The Hymn of Freedom - famous verses from Dubravka are now
used as an unofficial song of Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
Gundulić is best known for its baroque epic Osman (20 cantos)
which he wrote from 1621 until his death. He sings of the victory of
the Poles over Turks, which had invaded Europe at the times, at
Hoćim (Ukraine)
in 1621, wakening the oppressed Slavic spirit. He sings about
attempts by the young Ottoman sultan Osman II
to restructure his army, and the resulting rebellion against him,
which led to his violent death in 1622. This work had an
inspiring effect on the Croatian National Revival, so-called
Illyrian movement, in the first middle of the 19th
century. Gundulić died before finishing cantos
14 and 15, but the poet Ivan Mažuranić (a member of the Ilyrian
movement that sought to unite
South Slavs) successfully wrote two substitute cantos, and Osman
thus completed was published in Zagreb in 1844.
Gundulić, son of a five times Knez (the highest governmental post in
Dubrovnik Republic, held only for a month only by nobles under 50),
never to live being a Knez him self due to his young death.
Beautiful statue of
the poet with the relief pedestal by Croatian sculptor Ivan Rendić
on Gunduličeva Poljana – picturesque market square named after
Gundulić stands as a reminder on one of the Croatian’s greatest
poets. Gundulić was also inspiration for two monumental work of art
painted in 1830 by one of the famous Croatian painters ever Vlaho
Bukovac. Painting Gundulić Dream and famous stage curtain for
Croatia National Theatre under title Croatian National Revival,
worship Gundulić as carrier of Croatian renaissance literature that
in large influenced members of the Illyrian movement. The picture of
Gundulić appears on 50 kuna banknote. |
