Atelier Peraica

History

Atelier Peraica was founded by Antonio Perajica (Peraica), who worked for numerous ateliers in Split before founding his own practice in Krizeva Ulica (Via del Moro) in 1934. According to the Yugoslav secret intelligence agency OZNA, he worked as a film operator at the hub of European cinema, Cinecitta in Rome, from 1937 to 1943. After the collapse of Fascist goverment, he joined Tito's partisans and was appointed Chief of Film and Photography of the 1st Proletarian Brigade, receiving multiple bravery awards. He was also a certified aerial photographer. Following WWII, Antonio taught at a photography school in Rijeka before relocating to Split to collaborate with graphic designer Vladimir Kirin on the creation of graphic monographs for Photo RVI. In 1949, he continued as freelance photographer, having his studio first at Villa Cassolini and then at the private atelier shop in the Grisogono Palace on Peristyle Square, the Roman Emperor's palace's centerpiece, where the atelier is still located. His commissions included shooting the Croatian National Theatre in Split and the local football team Hajduk, both of which have extensive collections of his work. Antonio, who had one of the most extensive photography careers, retired in 1984 at the age of 70. But he never stopped photographing or retouching.

After Antonio retired in 1984, the atelier was passed down to his son, Drazen. In the late 1960s, he graduated from photography school and achieved master status. Before joining the Atelierhe worked with experimental filmmaker Ivan Martinac for the construction business Lavcevic as a photographer and documentation specialist. This team was combining the best professionals to chronicle large socialist investments in the construction and urbanization processes. dr. Ana Peraica running the atelier today, with PhD in photography aesthetics, took over the atelier from her father, Drazen. She has a status of freelance artist.