This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the development of modern painting in Croatia, encompassing key artistic movements, styles, and artists who shaped this art form in the 20th century. The introduction of the paper analyzes the historical and social context that influenced the formation of modern painting in Croatia, with a particular emphasis on the transition from traditional painting techniques to modern expressive forms. The first part of the paper is dedicated to plein air painters, who introduced innovations into Croatian art at the end of the 19th century. These artists adopted the influences of Impressionism and began creating works outdoors (en plein air), which significantly impacted the development of landscape painting in Croatia. The next section of the paper focuses on Secession and the Zagreb School of Color, demonstrating how this movement brought new sensibilities and aesthetic values that were in line with European modernist trends. Symbolism, as a significant movement within modern painting, is thoroughly examined through an analysis of the works of key artists such as Vlaho Bukovac, Oton Iveković, and Slava Raškaj. Their works are presented as expressions of emotional depth and subtle conveying of personal and collective themes. The final part of the paper explores the influence of European avant-garde movements, such as Expressionism, Cubism, and Fauvism, on Croatian painters. Special attention is given to the transition to abstraction and how Croatian artists assimilated these influences into their works. The paper also discusses later contemporary tendencies, including abstract expressionism and new forms of visual expression, and their significance in shaping today’s artistic scene in Croatia. The conclusion summarizes the key findings, emphasizing how the modernist movement in Croatian painting was part of a broader European artistic context while retaining specific local characteristics that made it unique and recognizable. This paper contributes to the understanding of the development of modern painting in Croatia, highlighting its importance in the context of national and European artistic heritage.