In the Heart of the City
The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, with the Upper and Lower Castle and the Cathedral, stand in the centre of Vilnius.
The Upper Castle, which was built in the 14th century on Gediminas Hill, a former residence of the rulers of the Grand Duchy, has not survived until today. However, one of its towers has.
View of Gediminas’ Tower has been popular in art since the 19th century, becoming an iconic symbol of Vilnius as the capital of the state.
The artwork "Gediminas’ Tower in Vilnius" dates from the First World War. Kazimirowski painted a realistic picture: the snow-clad hill overgrown with shrubs exudes the freshness of winter.
The black, red and white flag of the German Empire flies over the tower, and the low angle of view gives it an imposing quality.
The German authorities were the first to fly a national flag on the tower in the 20th century, to show which power ruled the city, and the tradition has been preserved ever since.
Artwork: "Gediminas' Tower in Vilnius"
Creator: Eugeniusz Kazimirowski
Date Created: 1917
Physical Dimensions: 30.5cm x 33cm
Type: Painting
Medium: Oil on Cardboard
Text by: Laima Laučkaitė
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