Jaksic Stonemasonry
Workshop and Gallery

Mario Puratić Monument Installed in Sumartin – A Tribute to the Inventor of the “Puratić Winch”

The monument to Mario Puratić – the famous inventor who forever changed modern fishing – has finally been completed and installed. This portrait sculpture in stone is the work of our academic sculptor Lovre Jakšić and was commissioned by the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Selca. The monument, made of white Brač stone, now graces the Sumartin waterfront, where people, the sea, and fishing boats meet – many of which still use the Puratić winch.

Mario Puratić, born in Sumartin, left an indelible mark on the world through his contribution to the fishing industry. This project resulted in a stone monument that permanently commemorates this modest yet brilliant innovator. Positioned on a public site and symbolically surrounded by boats and the sea, the monument further emphasises the connection between the inventor and his legacy.

The stone figure presents a realistic portrait in stone – Mario Puratić is shown with his hand resting on his most renowned invention – the Puratić winch. The form of the sculpture carefully balances between figuration and modern interpretation, merging art, local identity, and technical heritage. At the base is the inscription MARIO PURATIĆ, clearly engraved in the stone, and the entire monument is carved from a single block of white Brač stone.

This portrait sculpture is not only a work of art but also a lasting stone monument that will carry the story of this local genius for generations. The project was funded through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (2014–2020) via FLAG Island Brač, further confirming its value to the local community and the preservation of Brač’s identity.