Anatomy of Smoke: A Retrospective of a Habit

From sacred ritual to silver-screen glamour, Anatomy of Smoke explores the fascinating cultural journey of tobacco through art, advertising and visual identity. Set within the elegant halls of Zadar’s historic Prince’s Palace, this thought-provoking exhibition traces how smoking evolved from a ceremonial practice among Indigenous peoples of the Americas into one of the defining symbols of 20th-century modern life.
For decades, cigarettes embodied sophistication, rebellion, luxury and urban cool shaped by café culture, glossy advertisements and unforgettable Hollywood imagery. Through vintage posters, iconic artworks and powerful visual narratives, the exhibition reveals how deeply smoking became woven into fashion, cinema and popular culture before medical discoveries and advertising restrictions radically transformed public perception.
Featuring works by celebrated artists including Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, Alphonse Mucha, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Hugo Pratt, Vlaho Bukovac and Charles Billich, the exhibition combines fine art, pop culture and social commentary in a visually rich and unexpectedly contemporary experience.

Anatomy of Smoke: A Retrospective of a Habit

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