Nebeska i zemaljska Venera - Hermina Dauber i Gola Berta Paje Jovanovića
Heavenly and Earthly Venus - Paja Jovanovic’s Paintings of Hermina Dauber and Naked Berta

Summary/Abstract: The works of painter Paja Jovanovic, which have the presentation of women as a main theme, can be perceived in various ways. The presentation of a nude female figure in interior is usually seen as eroticism, due to the fact that the painter thinks of it as a genre that is intimate. Jovanovic searches for forms where he can shape and reduce eroticism of his nude paintings. Moreover, he tries to highlight the aesthetic qualities of his nude models and to shape them according to academic norms. A painting of his lover from his student days, Naked Berta or Nude in front of mirror can be seen as the Earthly Venus. After having taken this into account, we can perceive her as a reflection of pure amorous love and non-representing part of his self-representation. On the other side, nude paintings of his wife Hermina Muni Jovanovic, Female nude on a red cloak and Nude standing by an armchair, can be seen as the Heavenly Venus. Therefore, she is represented as a sophisticated lady and an aesthetic example according to Kant’s understanding of beauty, showing her as a reflection of sacred love. The purpose of this paper is to show that Paja Jovanovic is also representing himself through the presentations of his muses and lovers and his relationship with them.

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