Venceslav Melka in the Collection of the Lucian Blaga Central University Library in Cluj-Napoca

The study analyzes the drawings of Venceslav Melka (1834–1911) preserved in the collection of the Lucian Blaga Central University Library in Cluj-Napoca. Following an excursus on the painter’s artistic universe and a historiographical discussion of the theme, the paper continues with the artistic analysis of the drawings. An artist of Czech origin, Melka settled in Transylvania around the year 1870, where he, besides being the Professor of Drawing of the University, also became the Official Painter of the Vienna Court, accompanying Archduke Rudolf on hunting parties. The subjects of his drawings are varied, ranging from landscapes to studies of trees, genre scenes and studies of hands and animals realized in the academic style.

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