Joost de Jonge brings Aetas Aurea to Opatija

Dutch painter Joost de Jonge is presenting recent paintings, drawings and photographs at the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion in Opatija, Croatia, from July 3 to 26, 2026. The show extends his ongoing ties to Croatia and builds on recent critical attention for his work.

Why it matters: - Joost de Jonge’s Opatija exhibition adds another Croatia stop for an artist already familiar to local audiences. - The show connects his recent work to broader themes of myth, landscape and the idea of a “golden age.” - The exhibition may draw attention from visitors on the Croatian riviera and from readers tracking his recent critical profile.

What happened: - Joost de Jonge is showing recent paintings, drawings and photographs at the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion in Opatija, Croatia. - The exhibition runs from July 3 to July 26, 2026. - De Jonge was born in Utrecht in 1975 and works as a Dutch painter. - The exhibition is titled Aetas Aurea.

The details: - De Jonge studied at academies in Utrecht and Barcelona. - He also worked in ateliers in Amsterdam and Vienna. - He lives and works near Dijon, France. - De Jonge has spent time on the Croatian coast and has visited Opatija and Rijeka. - His 2023 exhibition at the Cube of the City Museum of Rijeka drew inspiration from Gustav Klimt’s Orpheus and Eurydice in the Museum’s Sugar Palace collection. - His recent work was discussed in “A Photographic Paradox,” an essay by Dr. Richard Shiff published at Brooklyn Rail. - The accompanying catalogue includes essays by curator Ervin Dubrović and Dr. Noah Charney. - The artist’s previous shows in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and elsewhere in the United States introduced him to a wider public.

Between the lines: - The Opatija exhibition frames de Jonge’s work through a classical and mythological lens, especially the Argonauts and the Golden Fleece. - Local legend places the landing of Jason and the Argonauts just a few dozen meters from the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion. - The title Aetas Aurea points to the ancient idea of a “golden age,” which fits the show’s emphasis on idealized landscape and human origins. - The artist’s repeated travel to the Croatian coast appears to be shaping both the subject matter and the mood of the exhibition.

What's next: - Visitors can see the exhibition in Opatija through July 26, 2026. - De Jonge’s recent work is likely to continue circulating through international exhibition venues and critical publications. - The show may further strengthen his profile in Croatia and among audiences interested in contemporary art with classical references.