Nadežda Petrović: Life and Art in the Service of the Nation

The promotion of the monograph by Miloš Timotijević, PhD, “Nadežda Petrović: Life and Art in the Service of the Nation” will be held at the Gallery of the National Museum Kraljevo, on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026, starting at 6 PM.

The monograph brings a new and comprehensive interpretation of the life and work of Nadežda Petrović (1873–1915), one of the most important figures of Serbian art and culture of the 20th century. As the founder of Serbian modernism, Nadežda opened new chapters in national art with her avant‑garde painting, while at the same time, through strong social and political engagement, she actively participated in shaping national consciousness and public life of her time. Through a rich artistic oeuvre and tireless work in patriotic organizations, she combined modernity, art, and nationalism. Her participation in the liberation wars and her tragic death as a volunteer nurse in 1915 confirmed her deep dedication to the homeland.

A special value of this book lies in the analysis of her political activity, which in previous research often remained in the shadow of her artistic oeuvre. The author views Nadežda Petrović in a broader historical and cultural context – as an artist, intellectual, and national activist who acted in a time of great political and social upheavals, considering her relationship to nationalism, Serbian identity, Yugoslavism, and modernism.

The book represents a significant contribution to understanding the position of women artists in Serbian society and the way in which Nadežda Petrović, through her life and work, united art, ideas, and patriotism.

Miloš Timotijević (Čačak, 1969) is a doctor of historical sciences and museum advisor at the National Museum Čačak. He graduated and earned his doctorate at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Belgrade, where in 2011 he defended his dissertation on the modernization of Balkan cities in socialism. He is the author of numerous scholarly papers and monographs, and his narrower field of research includes the history of Serbia and Yugoslavia in the 20th century. For his scholarly and cultural contribution, he has received several significant awards.