Mr. Toma Mihailović, one of the members of the condominum association in the residential-business building at 33 Kralja Milutina Street, ie the former Josip Šojat building built in 1927 after Zloković’s design, approached Milan Zloković Foundation, looking for support in implementation of the restoration of the fresco that was painted originally on the facade. This building was declared a cultural monument by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Serbia on September 13, 2019.
In this early work, on the transition from historicism to modernism, but above all significant in his entire opus, architect Zlokovic used an eclectic method to create a modernized structure with stylistic elements of Renaissance palaces of central and northern Italy, but also relief accents inspired by Baroque and Manichaean eras. The art of the façade, in addition to the relief and façade sculpture by sculptor Živojin Lukić, was complemented by the allegorical fresco composition of the painter Mladen Josić in the upper zone of the façade, which emphasized the final wreath in the final frieze.
Created in the interaction of three artistic disciplines – architecture, sculpture and painting – the former Josif Šojat building is a unique example of Belgrade residential architecture of the first half of the 20th century, so the Foundation was pleased to receive news on the initiative to restore the fresco, which will bring significant contribution to the renewal of Belgrade’s cultural heritage. The condominium association will be engaged in the implementation of the renovation itself and will look for the necessary funding.
On that occasion, a meeting was held at the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Belgrade to discuss further steps in the realization of this endeavor, especially in defining the original appearance of the fresco, which should be as close as possible to the original painting, on the basis of available archival documentation, finding the adequate painter-conservator and obtaining necessary approvals of the competent authorities.
