Castle ruins

During the 20th century, the Lithuanian and Polish painting scene was dominated by themes such as the past of the homeland and the emphasis of its greatness. It was characterised by a certain symbolic perception, capable of seeing the greatness of the nation in material objects that reminded of an honourable past. Back then, the ruins of great buildings were also a certain symbol of the greatness of a nation and often a motif in symbolistic works of art. Stabrowski’s and Čiurlionis’ works are no exception (e.g. The Past, 1907).