GRAPHICS COLLECTION - GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
Name 2
/
ID number
002.445.Idrija
Manager / Administrator
Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 9, SI-5280 Idrija
Ownership
Public
Owner
Municipality of Idrija, Mestni trg 1, SI-5280 Idrija
Local / Original ID Number
510:IDR;LZ-219‒LZ-222
Type of Object
Daily life
Description
Short description
The described graphics collection encompasses four artworks. The first is a miner depicted on the red base (symbol of cinnabar ore). The miner is pointing to the piece of cinnabar ore with his arms stretched and his palms turned out. There is lace above the miner. The second artwork depicts a miner with a helmet in his right hand, standing over a piece of cinnabar ore and lace. The remaining two artworks depict a miner with his arm stretched in a symbol of a cross, standing over a piece of cinnabar ore and lace. An inscription “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread”, in different languages, is placed above the image of a miner in each graphic work. The described artworks are made using a more modern graphic technique, since it was made with a serigraphy or screen printing process (an artistic technique in which colour is applied through a matrix, and is then imprinted through a fine sieve). Beneath the graphics is a serigraphy number, information about the author and the year of the creation.
Measures
Length 25 cm, height 23.5 cm.
Materials
Paper
Dating
1992
Author / Producer
Rudi Skočir
Picture attachments
Original use
The described graphics collection was created for the purpose of the Idrija Mercury Mine and Idrija City’s 500th anniversary celebration. The author represents the Idrija miner with a cinnabar ore, which represents the daily bread of each Idrija miner, through different motifs. Another important motif is the lace, which also represented an important additional source of payment for mining families. According to the authors’ interpretation, the symbol of a cross is not a symbol of Christianity and religion, but a symbol of something that is passing. With this, he wanted to bring attention the closing of the Mercury Mine. The fate of several families and their children was connected to the closing – in terms of loss of work, earnings, survival. A long period that formed a physical and spiritual picture of this place, which gave the people a chance of survival.
Present use
The described collection of graphics is being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. It is a part of the art collection of Idrija Municipal Museum. Visitors can see it within the permanent exhibition “Milestones of the 20th Century”.
Original location
Ljubljana.
Present location
Idrija Municipal Museum, Gewerkenegg Castle (showroom 14).
STATE OF CONSERVATION
History of conservation:
The graphics collection is well preserved. Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premises is taken care of.
Present state
good
Necessary activities:
Regular seasonal maintenance.
DOCUMENTATION
Addresses / collections / links etc. where further in-depth information is accessible:
- Inventory Book of the Idrija Municipal Museum;
- Nelida Nemec. Rudi Skočir. Idrija: Založba Bogataj, 2013.