Jaksic Stonemasonry
Workshop and Gallery

“Croatian Rose” – Monumental Sculpture in Vukovar / Work of Academic Sculptor Lovre Jakšić

- the monumental large-scale sculpture “Croatian Rose”, created by sculptor Lovre Jakšić and carved as a stone monument from white Brač limestone “Sveti Petar”, represents one of the most profound and emotionally charged artistic works dedicated to Vukovar. This public sculpture depicts the figure of a pregnant woman, conceived as a personification of Ružica Markobašić — the young woman killed at Ovčara in 1991 — while simultaneously representing all other pregnant women whose innocence was taken in the tragic circumstances of war. The motif of pregnancy highlights the most intimate and powerful symbolism: a life that was just about to begin. The sculpture is imbued with Lovre Jakšić’s distinctive sculptural signature. The human figure is interpreted through strong stylisation, with emphasised silhouettes, soft transitions and a pronounced interplay of rough and polished surfaces. This combination of textures creates an extraordinary visual rhythm of light and shadow, especially where the contours of the body meet the voluminous, dynamically modelled hair. Hidden within the folds and curls of the hair lies one of the sculpture’s most intriguing details: the form of a rose — subtle, unobtrusive, yet clearly recognisable upon closer viewing. This detail symbolically connects the sculpture with its title, “Croatian Rose”, and further enhances its emotional and memorial character. The figure of the pregnant woman stands with her head gently bowed, giving her expression a quality both blissful and concerned, deeply contemplative and almost meditative. Her hands placed over her pregnant belly evoke a strong sense of protection, tenderness and care. A particularly striking detail is the subtly indicated shape of a small child’s foot pressing outward from the stone surface, suggesting the presence of the unborn child — an innocent life that was meant to take its first step into the world. With its volume, proportions and refined execution, this monumental stone sculpture has become a powerful public artwork for the city of Vukovar. Positioned in front of the Memorial Hospital, it carries the weight of remembrance along with the gentle beauty of motherhood, creating a space of silence and reverence. The work of Lovre Jakšić unites contemporary artistic expression with the tradition of Brač stone-carving, forming a lasting monument that stands as a guardian of memory, dignity and respect.