The Viktor Debelak Photographic Fond
Curator: Domen Kaučič

The Debelak family has been associated with the photography business for three generations. Namely, around the year 1918, after the arrival from the battlefields in the First World War, Matija Debelak, the father of Viktor Debelak, started his career in photography business. Viktor Debelak opened his first studio in Hotavlje.  Later he bought a house in the centre of Gorenja vas and he moved his studio there, where it still operates today.

The fond was given to the the Museum of Contemporary history of Slovenia in the beginnings of the year 2018 and is still in the process of documentation and editing. Preserved photographs, mainly shot on 9 x 12 and 10 x 15 cm glass panels, show portraits, weddings and group shots of people from the wider Poljanska Valley. Unfortunately, the inventory books of the photographer’s recordings were not preserved.
Wedding of Majda (born Raztresen) and Janez Kristan. Inv. No.: VD-254.
Wedding of Majda (born Raztresen) and Janez Kristan. Inv. No.: VD-254.
The Gantar family from Leskovica. Inv. No.: VD-300.
The Gantar family from Leskovica. Inv. No.: VD-300.
Wedding of Pepce and Alojz Platiša. Inv. No.: VD-350.
Wedding of Pepce and Alojz Platiša. Inv. No.: VD-350.
Wedding photo of Pavla Bogataj and Janez Debeljak, November 7, 1959. Inv. No.: VD-768.
Wedding photo of Pavla Bogataj and Janez Debeljak, November 7, 1959. Inv. No.: VD-768.