The traditional artistan craft of Atelier Marković celebrated 100 years of existence and creativity in the legendary shop at Zagreb’s Ilica Street.
The atelier’s shop-window attracts passersby for a century, — an anniversary few craftsmen can boast on. The family celebrated the centenary in an intimate environment of their relatives, friends, and clients, and the story was summarised to us by Damir Marković, who directs the craft since 2000:
“The shop was opened by my grandfather Josip a hundred years back on this exact address. During the sixties it was taken over by my father, also Josip. Grandfather started working on glass in 1919, making crystal chandeliers and honing crystals — after the Second World War they devoted most of their time to framing paintings, and today we’re making mirrors, unique gilding, and glazing.”
Damir Marković
Apart from framing paintings, photographs, tapestries, handiworks, and needlepoints, they also offer glazing services. They’ll create a unique glass table or a shelf by your wishes. The thing that especially draws attention are the breathtaking mirrors.
Tajana Žunić-Marković — Damir’s wife — is charged with creating the original assortment of Angels, which gives a special touch to the artistic tradition of the atelier with its recognisability.
“Tajana has always been an artistic soul, upgrading the offer of the Atelier with unique angels which she donates to children’s hospitals, but also sells” — he asserts she makes art, and he frames it.
They believe in spreading happiness into other homes through their angels. “People say they wake up in the morning and are amazed by how pretty it is, whether they’re young or old. An angel winks at them, it makes them happy and makes their day a bit better,” Tajana says. Damir Marković believes their daughter will continue the hundred-year-old tradition of the craft. “Luckily we dabble in beautiful stuff, a painting’s value can be elevated by a perfect frame, and you have to be mindful of a lot of elements during the framing,” he adds, and concludes:
“In order for the craft to last a hundred years, the most important thing is love — without her we wouldn’t mark the centenary. We do this with out full hearts and as long as we keep it like that, the craft will prevail.”