Holy Icon

"A Hat Full of Stories: Svetozar Ćorović", acrylic on canvas panel, Bishop Maxim, 2025

In this striking portrait, Svetozar Ćorović, the renowned Herzegovinian writer, is rendered with quiet intensity and depth. Wearing his distinctive hat—a symbol both of era and identity—he gazes slightly aside, as if listening to the murmurs of memory or weighing a thought before it becomes word. The earthy tones surrounding him evoke the rugged landscape of Herzegovina, while the subtle interplay of light and shadow on his face speaks to an inner life shaped by the joys and burdens of history, language, and homeland. The brushstrokes are confident yet tender, allowing the viewer to sense both the public figure and the private man.