In this episode, we dive into the astonishing story of a secluded commune of artists in Bosnia who, during the chaos of the 1990s war, created a breathtaking yet bizarre form of art forgery. The group, isolated in the remote village of Veliki Guber, developed a talent for blending styles of iconic artists to create masterful hybrids—like Salvador Dali's surrealism woven into the Adoration of the Magi. Led by a mysterious Franciscan monk, Fra Emmanuel, who saw their work not as forgery but homage, this hidden commune reveals the strange intersection of war, art, and spiritual devotion.
The Artistic Insight of Mia Petrov
by Hannah Weaver
Ms. Weaver is a Pax Aeterna contributor, born in New York City, now living in Florence, Italy, where she extensively writes about art.
Mia Petrov, a talented artist and art expert, was born in Sarajevo in 1972. Sadly, she passed away in Rome, Italy in 1999, leaving behind a legacy of incredible knowledge and skill in the world of art. Mia was a woman who knew her art. She could talk for hours about the Adoration of the Magi and its place in art history. She could also talk at length about the work of Salvador Dali and his unique approach to surrealism. She once said that Adoration of the Magi was a masterpiece that captured the essence of the Renaissance, with its intricate details and vivid colors. She also praised Salvador Dali for his bold experimentation with surrealism, noting that he pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in the art world. To her, the blending of classical techniques with unconventional ideas was the hallmark of great art, and she strived to embody that spirit in her own work.
Mia Petrov as a young artist, Livno, 1984 In The Life and Times of Mia Petrov:
In The Life and Times of Mia Petrov: From 1972-1999. From The New York Public Library.
One day, I found myself in the Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art, in Sarajevo, at the same time as Mia. We struck up a conversation, and I was immediately struck by her passion for art. We talked about the Adoration of the Magi, and Mia shared her insights into the symbolism and meaning behind the painting.
But Mia didn't stop there. She also shared her thoughts on Dali's work, pointing out the similarities between his surrealistic style and the dreamlike quality of the Adoration of the Magi. She spoke with such conviction and depth of knowledge that I couldn't help but be impressed.
As we talked, I realized that Mia had a rare gift. She had a deep understanding of art that went beyond the surface level. She saw the connections between different styles and periods, and she could explain them in a way that made sense.
After that day, I made a point to seek out Mia's company whenever I was in the art world. She became a trusted companion and a valued source of insight into the world of art.
And so, I can say with confidence that Mia Petrov was one of the most knowledgeable art experts I ever had the pleasure of knowing. Her in-depth understanding of both the Adoration of the Magi and Salvador Dali's work was a testament to her passion and dedication to the art world.
Not only was Mia Petrov a well-respected art expert, but she was also an incredibly talented painter in her own right. Her paintings were vibrant and expressive, often incorporating surrealist elements that added a unique flair to her work. She had a keen eye for color and composition, and her pieces were always thought-provoking and visually striking. Many of her paintings were inspired by the Adoration of the Magi, which was a subject that she held a special fascination for. Mia's talent as a painter was truly remarkable, and she left an indelible mark on the art world that continues to inspire artists and enthusiasts to this day.
Velika Gruba Left Behind
Despite my efforts to persuade her, Mia Petrov remained resolute in her decision not to discuss her experience at Velika Gruba. I sensed a hint of sorrow behind her firm stance, and I could see that it was a difficult topic for her to address. Perhaps it was a chapter of her life that she preferred to keep private, a time of deep introspection and creative exploration that she held dear to her heart. It was clear that her time at Velika Gruba had a profound impact on her life and art, but it was a part of her story that she was not yet ready to share.Mia Petrov as a young artists.
A Cultist Group of Art Forgers found in Bosnia and Herzegovina
by Sophia Martinelli
Pax Aeterna News Agency, Milan, Italy
In the early 1990s, as the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina ravaged the country, a group of artists and farmers formed an artistic commune in the remote village of Veliki Guber, near Livno. (188 km from Sarajevo, by a car) This group, which consisted of several families, decided to isolate themselves from the rest of the world and rely on farming and hunting for their sustenance.
The artistic commune was deeply influenced by the Rio Negro Manifesto. They believed that by living in harmony with nature and away from the violence of the war, they could create something beautiful. The Manifesto's ideals were seamlessly interwoven in the fabric of the commune, and it became their guiding philosophy. They sought to create a new form of art that went beyond the constraints of traditional artistic schools, and their ability to blend the styles of different artists was just one example of this. The commune's art was a testament to their commitment to living a life of creativity, cooperation, and respect for the environment.
For several years, the commune thrived in its isolation. The members of the group became skilled farmers and hunters, and they developed a deep understanding of the land around them. They also began to create art, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of their surroundings. Their paintings were not particularly impressive at first, but they were deeply meaningful to the members of the commune.
One day, a Franciscan monk named fra Emmanuel Capistrano arrived in Veliki Guber. He had been sent to the village to bring the members of the commune back to civilization and to convince them to rejoin the rest of society. However, when he arrived, he discovered something unexpected. The members of the commune had an enormous talent for creating forgeries of famous paintings.
Fra Emmanuel was initially horrified by this discovery. He believed that art should be original and authentic, and he felt that the members of the commune were wasting their talents by creating copies of other people's work. However, as he spent more time with the members of the commune and learned about their history and their motivations, he began to see things differently.
The members of the commune explained to Fra Emmanuel that they did not see their work as forgeries, but rather as homages to the great artists of the past. They saw themselves as carrying on the legacy of these artists and bringing their work to new audiences. They also pointed out that they had never tried to pass off their paintings as originals, and that they had always been honest about their methods and materials. But that wasn’t all.
A True Discovery
Fra Emmanuel was shocked to find that the painters also had an incredible talent for creating forgeries of famous paintings, but with a unique twist. They would repaint these masterpieces in the style of a completely different, well-known artist, which created an entirely new and strange art form. It was as though they were channeling the spirit of one artist to create the work of another, creating a hybrid of sorts that was entirely their own. Fra Emmanuel was astonished by their ability to seamlessly blend the styles of two great artists into one cohesive work of art, and he knew that he had stumbled upon something truly special.
The Adoration of Magi
Mia Petrov (more about Mia in this Hannah Weaver’s article), one of the artists, painted The Adoration of the Magi in the style of Salvador Dali; it features the signature surrealistic and dreamlike elements that characterize his work. The composition includes distorted or elongated figures, melting objects, and unexpected juxtapositions of unrelated elements. In the foreground, the three wise men might be depicted as elongated figures with exaggerated features, such as long noses or outstretched arms. They might be dressed in brightly colored robes and be surrounded by strange and fantastical objects, such as floating clocks or melting watches.
In the background, the traditional Nativity scene might be transformed into a surreal landscape, with strange rock formations, melting snow, and other surreal elements. The baby Jesus might be depicted as a distorted figure, with elongated limbs or exaggerated features.
Overall, a Salvador Dali-style Adoration of the Magi would be a highly imaginative and surreal interpretation of the traditional scene, incorporating the artist's distinctive style and artistic vision.
Fra Emmanuel was eventually won over by the members of the commune and their work. He began to see their paintings as a unique and valuable contribution to the world of art, and he helped them to organize an exhibition of their work in a nearby town. The exhibition was a great success, and the members of the commune became famous overnight.
Over the next few years, the members of the commune continued to create their paintings, both as homages to the great artists of the past and as a way to express their own creativity. They never forgot their roots as farmers and hunters, however, and they continued to live in harmony with nature and away from the violence of the war.
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