The architectural opus of the architect Aleksandar Đorđević (1890-1952)

Aleksandar Đorđevic (1890-1952) is placed among the most famous Serbian architects of the period between the two Wars. While working for the elite of the pre-war Belgrade, for King Aleksandar I, Prince Pavle Karađorđevic merchants, industrialists and members of Parliament, he created, in his architectural opus, many remarkable works, such as building of Belgrade Stock Exchange, White Palace and Golf Club in Kosutnjak, and numerous private residencies in capital and out of it, as well. He was educated in the most prestigious schools in Germany and France, during his creative period he reflected the influences of the style of academism inspired by French architecture of 17th and 18th century. His approach to the architectural design, was not exclusively the reflection of his education and explicit demands of the environment, but it was also the reflection of the cultural milieu which he belonged to. While working for the pre-war capital elite, Đorđevic made influence on the taste formation of the highest society class in the capital, on the picture which reflected their demands and marked the period of civic culture increase. In the period from 1922 up to the beginning of the Second World War, twenty five buildings were constructed or reconstructed according to the ideas of the architect Aleksandar Đorđevic, while around fifteen of his designs remained non-constructed. Besides successful realizations in the domain of the style of academism, field where Đorđevic, apart from the architect Milutin Borisavljevic, may be considered a leading figure from the end of the third and beginning of the fourth decade, this architect designed even in coexisting national style and modern architecture movements, but without sincere devotion to these art movements. Sophistication and artistic emancipation of Aleksandar Đorđevic and his architectural opus, were highly valued among the doyens of the Serbian architecture between the two wars. Even nowadays, observers and researchers of the Serbian architecture are enchanted with style and delicacy of his work, placing this architect among the most eminent architects of 20th century Serbian architecture.