A View of Vilnius from Little Pohulianka

Helena Römer (1860–1946), a member of the artistic Römer family, learnt the basics of art in the studio of her uncle Edward Mateusz Römer on Bokšto Street, and later continued her studies in Munich. She returned to Vilnius, and in 1905 she established a private studio and art school for girls. She was an active member of the Vilnius Art Society in the early 20th century, and submitted work to exhibitions. She painted portraits, landscapes and religious pictures. Her pictureA view of Vilnius from Little Pohuliankawas painted from Kalinausko Street, which was previously called Little Pohulianka. In the foreground are the Pylimo Street vegetable gardens and the gardens of the Calvinist College, the red tile roof of which is on the right. Above the college is the Calvinist church, and on the horizon is the city, with the towers of the Church of St Catherine. Römer was fascinated by the green, almost rural, face of the city. She focused on the foliage, the trees, the colourful gardens and vegetable plots, which she painted elaborately and with love. Text author Laima Laučkaitė.