Mateja je stala pred mogočnimi vhodnimi vrati Narodne galerije Slovenije.

Mateja stood in front of the majestic entrance doors of the National Gallery of Slovenia.

Svetloba jesenskega sonca je nežno osvetljevala fasado stavbe, medtem ko so rumeni listi v tihem plesu padali na ulico.

The light of the autumn sun gently illuminated the building's facade, while yellow leaves fell onto the street in a silent dance.

V zraku je bilo čutiti vonj po mokrem listju.

The scent of wet leaves was in the air.

»Dobro jutro, Mateja,« jo je pozdravil Goran, mlad kustos galerije, ki je bil ves vznemirjen zaradi današnje uganke.

"Good morning, Mateja," greeted her Goran, a young curator of the gallery, who was all excited about today's mystery.

»Si slišala za tisti skrivnostni portret?

"Have you heard about that mysterious portrait?"

«Mateja je prikimala, z zanimanjem pa je pogledala proti veliki dvorani, kjer se je zbrala manjša skupina obiskovalcev.

Mateja nodded, looking with interest toward the large hall where a small group of visitors had gathered.

Portret, ki je ponoči skrivnostno prišel v galerijo, je že vzbudil pozornost.

The portrait, which had mysteriously arrived at the gallery during the night, had already piqued attention.

Kasneje, ko so obiskovalci počasi zapuščali galerijo, se je Mateja usedla pred portret.

Later, as visitors slowly left the gallery, Mateja sat down in front of the portrait.

Bil je izjemen in hkrati skrivnosten, predstavljen z umirjenimi toni in skritimi simboli.

It was remarkable and mysterious at the same time, presented with calm tones and hidden symbols.

A Mateja, ki je imela oko za podrobnosti, je opazila nekaj, kar drugi niso.

But Mateja, who had an eye for details, noticed something others hadn’t.

Goran ji je pristopil.

Goran approached her.

»Mateja, galerija se zapira jutri za prenovo.

"Mateja, the gallery is closing tomorrow for renovations.

Imamo zelo malo časa,« jo je opozoril.

We have very little time," he warned her.

»Bom ostala čez noč,« je odločila Mateja, s strastjo v očeh, ki jo je vodila.

"I'll stay overnight," Mateja decided, with a passion in her eyes that drove her.

»Videti moram, kaj skriva ta portret.

"I must see what this portrait hides."

«Tiste noči, ko so vsi zapustili galerijo, se je Mateja z baklo v roki podala nazaj k portretu.

That night, when everyone had left the gallery, Mateja returned to the portrait with a flashlight in hand.

Njene oči so iskale namige.

Her eyes searched for clues.

Nenadoma je opazila drobne iniciale, skoraj nevidne, na vogalu platna.

Suddenly, she noticed tiny initials, almost invisible, on the corner of the canvas.

Srce ji je poskočilo.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Bile so to kratice znanega slovenskega umetnika, ki je uradno izgubil veliko svojih del.

They were the initials of a famous Slovenian artist who had officially lost many of his works.

Hitela je zapisovati vse, kar je našla.

She hurried to write down everything she found.

Z vsakim novim odkritjem je postajala bolj prepričana, da je portret dragocen del zgodovine.

With each new discovery, she became more convinced that the portrait was a precious piece of history.

Ko se je jutro zopet prižgalo nad Ljubljano, je Mateja s svojimi dognanji stopila pred Janino, vodjo galerije.

When morning once again brightened over Ljubljana, Mateja stood before Janina, the head of the gallery, with her findings.

»Mislim, da sem odkrila nekaj izjemnega,« je rekla zaupajoče.

"I think I've discovered something extraordinary," she said confidently.

Jana je prebrala njene zapiske.

Jana read her notes.

S spoštovanjem in rahlim presenečenjem se je obrnila k Mateji.

With respect and slight amazement, she turned to Mateja.

»Tvoje delo je izjemno.

"Your work is exceptional.

To bo pomemben dodatek naši zbirki,« je priznala.

This will be an important addition to our collection," she acknowledged.

Od tistega dne je Mateja postala bolj samozavestna in zelo cenjena med svojimi kolegi.

From that day on, Mateja became more confident and highly valued among her colleagues.

Spoznala je, da njen instinkt in strast do umetnosti lahko razkrijeta skrivnosti, ki so drugi morda spregledali.

She realized that her instinct and passion for art could uncover secrets others might have overlooked.

Njena radovednost je živela naprej, tako kot portret, ki je zdaj ponosno visel v galeriji, obogaten z Matejinim odkritjem.

Her curiosity lived on, just like the portrait, which now proudly hung in the gallery, enriched by Mateja's discovery.