Construction works on the building began in the late 1920s, following sculptor Ivan Me\u0161trovi\u0107\u2019s ideas, developed by architects Lavoslav Horvat and Harold Bilini\u0107. From 1931 to 1939, the works continued on the eastern and western wings of the building, which included a studio, workshops, residential quarters, and a central hall. After that, landscaping was completed and Mediterranean plants were planted. However, the artist did not get the chance to enjoy his villa much \u2013 after the Italian occupation of the city, it was mainly inhabited by his friends and relatives. In 1952, through a donation act, Me\u0161trovi\u0107 gave four of his properties and 132 artworks to the Croatian people. The Gallery keeps his masterpieces made of marble, bronze, plaster, and wood. In addition to the museum material, the Gallery also preserves the documentation about the life and work of Ivan Me\u0161trovi\u0107, including his family archive with letters and documents from family members.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":4430,"template":"","acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n