Oscar Nemon was a sculptor from Osijek, born in 1906, who gained international fame by portraying world figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, and Sigmund Freud.

When and where does the exhibition open?

The exhibition "Portraits of an Era: Oscar Nemon and Icons of the 20th Century" opens on September 3, 2026, at the Museum of Fine Arts in Osijek and runs until November.

Who will give a lecture at the opening?

Nemon's daughter, Lady Aurelia Young, will give a lecture, sharing personal memories to bring her father's life and work closer to the audience.

Why is this exhibition significant for Osijek?

The exhibition returns a piece of Osijek's own cultural heritage, celebrating the 120th anniversary of the birth of an artist who went from the city to worldwide fame.

Culture

Exhibition Brings Sculptor Oscar Nemon Back into the Spotlight

K.U. · Prije 3h | 2 min

Marking the 120th anniversary of his birth, the Museum of Fine Arts opens its most comprehensive exhibition yet on the artist who immortalized Churchill, Freud, and Queen Elizabeth II.

Summary

A major exhibition on sculptor Oscar Nemon opens in Osijek on September 3, 2026, marking the 120th anniversary of his birth.
Nemon portrayed 20th-century icons, Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, and Sigmund Freud.
The exhibition is accompanied by a lecture by Nemon's daughter, Lady Aurelia Young, and runs until November 2026.

Osijek is preparing to welcome back one of its most celebrated sons. On September 3, 2026, the Museum of Fine Arts will open the exhibition "Portraits of an Era: Oscar Nemon and Icons of the 20th Century," which will, for the first time, present the life and work of the sculptor whose pieces adorned the homes and offices of world statesmen in such a comprehensive manner.

Born in Osijek in 1906, Nemon spent most of his career outside Croatia. After years across Europe, he settled in London, where he built a reputation as one of the leading portrait sculptors of his time. His oeuvre includes portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, and the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, and these works are now held in museums, public spaces, and private collections worldwide.

An Exhibition as a Return to His Own Story

The organizers, the Osijek-Baranja County and the Museum of Fine Arts, aim to highlight not only Nemon's international success but also his Osijek roots. County Prefect Nataša Tramišak emphasized the importance of this event for the city.

"This is an artist whose works defined the 20th century," Tramišak told Narodno.hr, inviting citizens to seize the opportunity to explore the oeuvre of a sculptor who journeyed from Osijek to the highest echelons of European art.

The exhibition is curated by Dr. Daniel Zec, with Anja Kindl as co-curator. The display at the Museum of Fine Arts will remain open until November 2026.

Personal Memories from Daughter Lady Aurelia Young

A special part of the program will take place on the opening day itself. Nemon's daughter, Lady Aurelia Young, will give a lecture at 11 a.m. in the Grand Hall of the Osijek-Baranja County Assembly. Through personal memories and stories from the family heritage, the audience will gain a unique insight into the professional and private life of the artist who portrayed kings, statesmen, and luminaries of psychoanalysis.

This exhibition is not merely a retrospective of Nemon's work; it symbolically returns a piece of Osijek's own cultural narrative, reminding us that the artist who conquered the world began his life's journey right on the banks of the Drava River.