Ivan Mestrovic, 1883-1962, was Sculptor-in-Residence and Professor of Sculpture at Syracuse University from 1947 to 1955. Croatian by birth, he was one of the advocates for the founding of Yugoslavia, but voluntarily left the country in protest against Marshal Tito's Communist regime. Internationally recognized for his artistic genius, Mestrovic was considered by some to be the greatest sculptor of religious subjects since the Renaissance. He was the first living artist ever to be given a one-man show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and was winner of the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award of Merit in 1953.

The Syracuse University Archives has a small collection of Mestrovic materials: photographs, correspondence, clippings, books, articles and memorabilia. The Archives also holds a microfilm set of the Mestrovic Papers from the University of Notre Dame.

These papers cover the years 1918-1964 and consist of 6 boxes and 1 oversize package totalling 2 1/2 linear feet. The finding aid was produced in typescript copy a number of years ago, but was reformatted to conform to new Archives standards in 1998.

The collection was a gift of Ivan Mestrovic in March 1961, additional material was purchased in July 1965, and was later added to by Frank Piskor.

Researchers interested in the Ivan Mestrovic Papers should mention the collection's Record Group (RG 13) and the title of the collection (Ivan Mestrovic Papers) when contacting the Syracuse University Archives. Please note that a portion of the collection may be housed off-site and advance notice may be required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Bird Library Reading Room.