KAREL PEČKO (1920–2016)

Uršlja gora, 1986

Mosaic

Karel Pečko was one of the leading figures in the cultural life of Slovenj Gradec in the second half of the 20th century. As a painter, he became particularly well known for his depictions of Uršlja gora, which from the 1970s onwards became the most recognisable motif in his work. He most often depicted the mountain in pastel, but also explored the motif in other media, including stained glass and mosaic.

In 1986, Pečko created a monumental mosaic for the former Bellevue restaurant in Legen. It was installed on the wall of the staircase between the basement and ground floor of the restaurant. When the building was demolished in 2018, the mosaic was removed and placed in storage. It was later relocated to its present site as part of the construction of the Aqualatio Slovenj Gradec swimming complex.

In his characteristic stylised manner, Pečko combined the image of Uršlja gora with a female figure. Above the softly shaped female nude rises the undulating form of the mountain, whose slopes intertwine with the figure to create a unified composition. The rounded forms of the body and landscape give the work a distinctly sculptural quality, while rows and clusters of small coloured tesserae enhance their softness.

Unlike the more subdued, predominantly blue versions of the motif in his pastels, Pečko used vivid orange and red tones in this mosaic, set against a dark background. The rich colours and strong contrasts highlight the characteristic dynamism of his later depictions of Uršlja gora.

The mosaic was restored in 2026 by sculptor and architect Boštjan Temniker. Its relocation and the associated finishing construction works were carried out by Adteh.

Katarina Hergold Germ in Nina Popič