Revealing the Hidden Story of Tito’s Portrait: A Multi-Analytical Study of the Painting by Vojo Dimitrijevic

ABSTRACT This study investigates the historical context and the creation process of the painting Tito and Our Revolution by Vojo Dimitrijevic, housed at the Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, through the application of various instrumental examination techniques. The artwork represents an intriguing fusion of socialist themes with contemporary European artistic movements of the era. Additionally, conservation efforts were undertaken to preserve the damaged painting and reintroduce it to public attention. The materials used in the painting were analyzed through a combination of non-invasive (radiography, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy) and invasive (Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography, polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy / energy dispersive spectroscopy) techniques. The analyses revealed an earlier, concealed composition beneath the visible painting, characterized by significantly different color choices and structural arrangement. Furthermore, the study sheds light on the true motivations behind the artwork and clarifies the conflicting narratives surrounding it. Radiography, stratigraphic, and elemental analyses confirmed not only the precise material characterization but allowed to better understand the materials and also the artist’s technical awareness and decision-making during his creative work. The findings were used to guide the conservation strategy, but also contributed to the re-evaluation of the painting as a work that transcends propaganda and embodies the personal expression of the artist.