Landscape and its Beauty

Discover the beauty of landscapes in the collection of Lithuanian Art Fund

Rural landscape (second half of the XIXth century) by Jozef MarszewskiLithuanian Art Fund

Rural Landscape (by Jozef Marszewski)

This classic piece by a talented landscape-painter and pupil of Vincentas Dmachauskas presents the artist as a romantic realist.

The authenticity of the unadorned surroundings and their implied insignificance, the detailed plasticity, meticulous drawing and attention to everyday life, all point to the artist having internalized the lessons in realist painting he had taken in the Saint Petersburg Academy.

In contrast, the structure of the composition, with its low-lying horizon opening up the expanse of the sky, so beloved by the romantics, reveals J. Marševskis as an artist with a soul steeped in romanticism. 

Fishermen’s boats in France (1869) by Jozef MarszewskiLithuanian Art Fund

Fishermen’s boats in France ( by Jozef Marszewski)

Picture of fishermen’s boats in France.

Storm in the Black Sea (1860) by Karol RafalowiczLithuanian Art Fund

Storm in the Black Sea (by Karol Rafałowicz)

The sea was a favourite theme of artists in the Romantic era, for seascapes enabled them to reveal the power and the beauty of natural forces. 

However, there are only a few maritime painters in 19th-century Lithuanian art, so the canvas by  Karol Rafałowicz  of a storm in the Black Sea is an interesting and rare piece in the genre.

In the Tatra valley (1887) by Kazimierz AlchimowiczLithuanian Art Fund

In the Tatra Valley (by Kazimierz Alchimowicz)

The sketch by Kazimierz Alchimowicz is done in his typical manner, using expressive brushstrokes and different shades of green and ochre to piece the picture together.

The fragment of the mountains chosen for this particular piece of work reveals the character of the Tatra Mountains perfectly: a rocky, tall, heavily forested range crisscrossed with mountain streams gushing under timber bridges put there for the benefit of travelers and shepherds.

The design of the picture is based on the contrast between the sunlit rocks and the dark trees, slanting lines. 

Opening of railway station (the beginning of 20th century) by Ivan TrutnevLithuanian Art Fund

Opening of Railway Station (by Ivan Trutnev)

Picture of the opening of railway station.

Village in Dzūkija (1910) by Antanas ŽmuidzinavičiusLithuanian Art Fund

Village in Dzūkija (by Antanas Žmuidzinavičius)

This is one of the most famous landscape paintings, The Village of Noblemen of Dzūkija Ethnographic Area II (1910), by Antanas Žmuidzinavičius.

For many years the history of this painting was unknown. The painting recorded as No. 133 in the register of Žmuidzinavičius’ works was exhibited in the Fourth Exhibition of Lithuanian Art. 

 

Lake Vištytis (1937) by Antanas ŽmuidzinavičiusLithuanian Art Fund

Lake Vištytis (by Antanas Žmuidzinavičius)

The characteristic silence of Žmuidzinavičius’ landscapes is also present in many of his paintings. His landscape painting Lake Vištytis (1937)  reveals the creative principles of his landscapes.

Trees (fir and pine trees) are in the foreground, and water which merges with the sky in the horizon is in the background. 

Colours of the painting are rich, tones are shaded and calm, and the brush strokes are light and sketchy.

Seascape (1926) by Antanas ŽmuidzinavičiusLithuanian Art Fund

Seascape (by Antanas Žmuidzinavičius)

Žmuidzinavičius’ landscapes convey the lyrical moods of nature, the impression of space, nuances of light, and play of textures in a most masterful way. The painter depicts nature realistically with elements of idealism, lyricism, and a romantic approach to the environment.

An artist in the dunes (1943) by Antanas ŽmuidzinavičiusLithuanian Art Fund

An Artist in the Dunes (by Antanas Žmuidzinavičius)

Žmuidzinavičius was a passionate traveller, who loved Lithuania unconditionally. 

Because he was a traveller and a painter, we are reminded of the character of Česlovas Janušas, the famous Lithuanian seascape painter, portrayed in Žmuidzinavičius’ painting Artist in the Dunes (1943). 

Bridge in the moonlight (1906) by Petras KalpokasLithuanian Art Fund

Bridge in the Moonlight (by Petras Kalpokas)

Picture of bridge in the moonlight.

A sunlit hill by the forest (1910) by Petras KalpokasLithuanian Art Fund

A Sunlit Hill by the Forest (by Petras Kalpokas)

Picture of a sunlit hill by the forest.

Winter (1941) by Jonas VaitysLithuanian Art Fund

Winter (by Jonas Vaitys)

In the interwar period, Vaitys’ oeuvre was strongly influenced by Expressionism (this is reflected in the motifs and plastic expression). 

His landscapes are colourful and emotional: the artist was free in painting, aspired at harmonious colouring by joining the trees and meadows painted in fine vibrant brushstrokes into an artistic entirety which reflected the feelings raised by Lithuanian nature. 

The artist was interested in a dynamic condition of nature when winter was followed by spring, summer by autumn, etc., or in a transitional state of nature, e.g. before a storm or in rain. 

A flower bed in front of the house (1943) by Jonas ŠileikaLithuanian Art Fund

A Flower Bed in front of the House (by Jonas Šileika)

Picture of a flower bed in front of the house.

Landscape with a house (20th century) by Vladas DidžiokasLithuanian Art Fund

Landscape with a House (by Vladas Didžiokas)

Picture of a landscape with a house.

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