Nadežda Petrović | Origin of Street Names

Nadežda Petrović (1873 - 1915) was one of the most significant Serbian painters in history, one of the first female photographers in Serbia, and a voluntary nurse, serving as a kind of heroine during the Balkan Wars and World War I.

She was born in Čačak as the first of thirteen (!) children of her parents. Being educated themselves, her parents recognized Nadežda's talent for drawing and painting from her early childhood and supported her artistic development. The same was true for her youngest brother, the future writer Rastko Petrović.

The artistic journey of one of the greatest Serbian visual artists took her from Čačak, through Belgrade, to Munich, where Nadežda spent several years studying under famous German painters of that time.

The "fruits" of Nadežda Petrović's Munich phase in painting were presented at a solo exhibition at the Great School Gallery in Belgrade in 1900. However, the criticism towards the young artist was extremely harsh, labeling her works as too abstract and as a product of "negative" influences from the West. Some of the most famous paintings from that period include Green Landscape, Bavarian with a Hat, Pine Forest, Birches, and others.

Later works inspired by Serbian motifs (Harvest, Girl from Sićevo, Haywagons on the Sava River, Village Women, and others) did not receive better reviews. Nadežda Petrović's unique style and the fusion of different painting movements (primarily influenced by Impressionism) were not recognized by Serbian critics, and throughout most of her painting career, this artist was disputed and considered misunderstood.

However, Nadežda Petrović continued to nurture her artistic style and follow her own ideals, not only in painting but also in other aspects of life. She was extremely active in the public life of Belgrade and was one of the founders of the humanitarian-patriotic association Kolo srpskih sestara. She also advocated for the idea of uniting the South Slavic peoples, which often linked her to Apis and the organization Union or Death.

The sense of patriotism in the painter is perhaps best demonstrated by her active participation in both the Balkan Wars and World War I. Despite having the opportunity to spend the war years in safety, Nadežda Petrović chose to be on the front lines wherever they were, serving as a nurse and aiding wounded Serbian soldiers.

While caring for the injured and sick, she herself succumbed to the deadly typhus virus and died at the age of 41. She was awarded the Order of St. Sava and numerous other medals for her humanitarianism and bravery.

As is often the case in our region, as well as in the world of art in general, the artistic value of Nadežda Petrović's legacy gained recognition many years after her death. Once misunderstood and disputed during her lifetime, Nadežda Petrović has been acknowledged as one of the most important Serbian painters in the second half of the 20th century.

Today, over a hundred of her works are exhibited in the permanent collection of the National Museum in Belgrade. In her hometown of Čačak, a biennial event with her name has been held for over half a century, and numerous streets and schools in Serbia bear the name of Nadežda Petrović.