The Age of Romanticism
Rediscover the 19th century through the lens of the history of art at the Lithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
By Lithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
Lithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
19th Century Art
The 19th century is steeped in the Romantic Movement, its efforts of preserving historical memory and cherishing of traditions, the foregrounding of resistance struggle together with the cult of national heroes and spiritual leaders.
The Artist and His Environment
Most of 19th century Lithuanian artists came from the gentry thus the setting of a manor house is among frequent motifs in their works.
Winter Landscape (Late 19th century) by Edward Mateusz RömerLithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
They record both typical countryside estates as well as places belonging to individuals, like the Römer family home courtyard at the crossroads of Bokšto and Savičiaus streets.
My Sorrel (1880/1900) by Edward Mateusz RömerLithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
The likeness of the artist's beloved horse entitled My Sorrel also reflects the nobility status.
Portrait of a Man (1801) by Michał WichrowskiLithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
Fantastic Cards (1828/1831) by Jan Gottlieb KislingLithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
Heroes and Freedom Struggle in the Russian Empire
The artist of the 19th century sought inspiring examples and heroic figures fashioned according to the ideal of the Romantic epoch. The nation struggling for its lost statehood looked for inspiring leaders among the participants of armed revolts. Promoted to this role were mostly representatives of nobility as they carried out their duty and protected their country with the sword.
Cracovians in a Tavern (C. 1800) by Franciszek SmuglewiczLithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
At the same time, the 19th century developed an interest in society's third estate, the peasants. Their liberation from the serfdom and patriotic spirit were perceived as one of the pillars of the statehood since the 1794 uprising led by Tadeusz Kościuszko. That is also the character captured in the Cracovians in a Tavern depicted by Franciszek Smuglewicz.
Asking for Directions (1837) by Konstanty KukiewiczLithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
The Landscape and Identity
The landscape wedding nature and architecture emerged as a key genre of the 19th century. Local scenery was perceived as a significant element of the national identity and a shaping force to the character of the local people and the spirit of the nation.
Landscape (1897) by Ferdynand RuszczycLithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
Italian Landscape (1866) by Józef MarszewskiLithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
Italian Landscape (1861) by Albert ŻamettLithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
Mountainous Landscape (1830/1840) by Adolf CzapskiLithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
The Fair in Vilnius by the Church of St Peter and St Paul (Late 19th century) by Wincenty SlendzińskiLithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
The images of architecture evoking the outstanding historical events and persons functioned as a form of illustration of history. The views of churches and religious themes appearing outside altarpieces also helped to define the national identity by accentuating its Catholic aspect, also served to remind the pious of Christ's present among them, here and now.
Provincial Art (1872) by Roman SzwoynickiLithuanian Art Centre TARTLE
The role of fine arts in educating society emerges, with a pinch of irony, in Roman Szwojnicki's Provincial Art. The painting ridicules the provincial's approach to art and indirectly advocates support for local art that is not trivial, but which looks at topical problems in society and embodies social ideals.
Text authors Rūta Janonienė, Dovilė Barcytė.
