A master of his time

The historical period which we often also call the arts-and-crafts age, was beneficial to the artisans’ new prestige as they were no longer anonymous. We could say that Jakov Šašel understood and experienced that period best – he was a versatile master arts craftsman who worked in Karlovac as a gunsmith, engraver, illustrator, painter and altar maker in the second half of the 19th century; he was also active in the social life.

His richly engraved rifles with ivory details show he trained under the guidance of Tyrolean masters, while his veduta of Karlovac, one of which we have displayed, are often reproduced even today as they help us see through the history of the city and arouse a sentimental mood.