«The Wedding Between Montenegro and the Sea»

[Anatol]

In the war against the Ottoman Empire, Montenegro occupied Bar after a long struggle and gained access to the sea in 1878.This important historical event is depicted in Ivan Žmirić's painting "The Wedding Between Montenegro and the Sea", a version of which is kept in Kotor's Maritime Museum.
The painting depicts a ceremonially decorated sailboat, on which famous Montenegrin personalities are sailing along the Bar Bay. The central figure is Prince Nikolai, who is depicted with his right hand raised. The prince symbolically marries the sea by throwing a golden ring into the sea. Next to him sits Princess Milena with the hereditary prince Danilo. On the bow, leaning over the side of the sailboat, is Princess Zorka.
On the coast there are many Montenegrins who are greeting the "Wedding of Montenegro with the Sea".
It is believed that the painting was "copied" from the Venetian ritual of betrothal to the sea (Sposalizio del Mar). Each newly elected Venetian Doge went out into the lagoon on a festive galley specially built for this occasion and threw a ring into the water.
Montenegro 2023; 0,95e.
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