Prvo stoletje oddelka za umetnostno zgodovino

The phrase “first century” we see in this book’s title is perfectly in keeping with the birthdate of the Department of Art History. The founding date of the University of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in Ljubljana is July 23, 1919. The chair of Art History was established on January 27, 1920, and it was just over three months later, in mid-May 1920, that Izidor Cankar first stood behind the lectern. From that moment on, Art History was alive in Slovenia as an academic discipline, drawing on the artistic and cultural history of Slovenian places and, through the activities of its central figures, transferring to the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana the postulates of Viennese and thus internationally honed art histories.
This overview of the development of Art History as an academic discipline is not an exhaustive one – after all, it is not possible to document each and every one of the many events and all that has transpired. Rather, this overview limits itself to presenting two key practices: lectures and publications based on the research of Department scholars. The joining of the two views shows the fundamental developmental stages of art history methods, while mentioning the contributions of particular Department members. On the one hand, these key contributions benefitted Slovenia and represent the dynamic development of this humanistic discipline; on the other, the many scientific findings are the basis for the continued and growing scientific cooperation with the international academic community.