Dating back to 1952, Zagreb has the oldest museum of NaÏve Art in the world with work from both Croatian and foreign artists. It has close to 2,000 works encompassing paintings on glass and canvas; sculptures, drawings and prints.

Naive art, also known as primitive art, is a distinct segment of 20th-century art. It comprises a group of self-taught painters and sculptors whose works show a  recognisable personal style and poetic uniqueness. In Croatia, naive art emerged from the creativity of peasants, workers, artisans, and everyday people. Despite their lack of formal art education, naive artists achieve their own distinctive creative style and artistic level.

We recommend the 30 minute tour. Each room is thoughtfully curated, with distinct ambience and lighting settings.

The first room pays homage to Ivan Generalić (1914-1992). His works from the 1930s reflect social issues and the everyday lives of ordinary agricultural people.

Moving to the second room, you will see works by the second generation of artists like Dragan Gaži (1930-1983) and Ivan Večenaj (1920-2013). These artists draw inspiration from rural life and biblical subjects, expressing their visions through veristic, burlesque, and grotesque styles. In the third room, a melancholic motif intertwines with scenes portraying modern and fashionable lives.

The fourth room unveils a captivating collection of landscape paintings. These artworks emanate a lyrical mood, embracing abstraction and a simple approach adorned with gentle colours. Room five is devoted to sculptures, capturing scenes inspired by the vibrant marine life.

The museum organises permanent exhibits of Croatian artists associated with the Hlebine School. However, due to the large collection and limited space, artworks are rotated periodically. Additionally, the museum houses a remarkable collection of foreign artists, with selected masterpieces on display, including works by renowned French artists Germain van der Steen and Simon Schwartzenberg, as well as Polish Naïve artist Nikifor.