Early 20th century
In early 20th century Lithuanian art was closely related to initiatives of the Lithuanian Art Society. Realism, impressionism, symbolism and modernism may be perceived in the portraits originating from this period.
In the exhibition of the year 1911 (1911) by Wincenty ŁukaszewiczLithuanian Art Fund
Wincenty Łukaszewicz (1861-1931) managed to create this magnificent artpiece and composed a very mysterious, mesmerising, even hypnotic portret with two very different yet slightly intimate characters. Painting In the exhibition of the year 1911 is quite uncommon for Łukaszewicz style and is one of rare portraits of this artist.
Self-Portrait (1920) by Edward KarniejLithuanian Art Fund
Ludomir Slendziński (1889-1980), the son of painter Vincent Slendziński, is the most outstanding representative of Vilnius neo-classicism. Sleńdziński combined the principles of Italian Renaissance painting with post-cubist stylization. This Portrait of a man is a great reflection of Slendziński style.
Self-portrait (1925) by Antanas SamuolisLithuanian Art Fund
The self-portrait of Antanas Samuolis (1899–1942) executed in an expressive manner and vibrant colours was painted when the author studied at the Kaunas Art Studio of Justinas Vienožinskis. It is a frank look of the twenty-six-year-old painter at himself. The 1925 self-portrait depicts Samuolis as a strong person with a fiery look.
Portrait of Kan. K. Prapuolenis (1928) by Petras KalpokasLithuanian Art Fund
The portrait of Kazys Prapuolenis (1928), a canon, by Petras Kalpokas (1880–1945) is both ornate and formal. The time when the portrait was painted coincides with the active creative period in the artist’s life.
Prapuolenis is portrayed in a very representative manner. The canon, the first non-formal representative of Lithuania in the Vatican, researcher of Lithuanian history, publicist, and active public figure is painted wearing a cassock and state awards: the Cross of the Knight of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas and the Cross of Officer of the Order of Vytautas the Great.
Portrait of director Juozas Vaičkus (1930) by Neemija Arbit BlatasLithuanian Art Fund
The portrait of Juozas Vaičkus (1930), a theatre director, painted by Neemija Arbitblatas (1909-1999) marks the period in Blatas’ oeuvre when he used restraint and monochrome colours.
The greatest and most valuable achievement of Vaičkus was the establishment of the State Theatre in Kaunas in 1920 together with the pupils and stage director Kastantas Glinskis. The theatre continues to this day.
Young woman with a cigarette (1930) by Steponas RomerisLithuanian Art Fund
Stefan Römer's (1900–1951) portrait of a young woman reflects his impressions of life in Prague. The model might have been an acquaintance of the artist, dressed up for an evening’s entertainment, although the brightly coloured lips, the smouldering cigarette between her fingers, and in particular the seductively loose shoulder strap, suggest that she and the painter had more than just a friendly or a professional relationship. This work, showing the artist’s acquaintance with the principles of Czech Art Deco, is one of the few surviving works by Stefan Römer. Almost all of his artistic legacy was destroyed during the Second World War in a fire.
Portrait of a young man with a hat (1932) by Adolfas ValeškaLithuanian Art Fund
This painting is full of warmth, sensitivity, and exhibits a free and unrestricted manner of painting. At the time when the portrait was painted modern art was gaining momentum and closely interacted with the avant-garde press. In the 1930s, pupils of Kaunas School of Art were influenced by local movements of avant-garde artists.
Jewish worker (Ouvrier Juif) (1933) by Max BandLithuanian Art Fund
Jewish worker (Ouvrier Juif) is a very touching painting created by Max Band (1900-1974). This is a subtle psychological portret with expressive sitter's composition. Images from Jewish life was one of the factors that made this artist famous.
Portrait of Vladas Eidukevičius (1934) by Mstislavas DobužinskisLithuanian Art Fund
Vladas Eidukevičius returned to Lithuania in 1932. This period marked the height of his creative maturity: ‘While in Lithuania, the aim of my work crystallised, my technique matured, combining of paint equilibrated, and generally, my art improved.’
Eidukevičius was painted by Mstislavas Dobužinskis seven years before the fateful day of 22 June 1941 when the bullet of a Nazi soldier cut short Eidukevičius’ life.
Portrait of Juozas Tūbelis (1936) by Justinas VienožinskisLithuanian Art Fund
The portrait of Prime Minister Juozas Tūbelis is subtle both in terms of colour and technique. In this case, the formal relationship between the artist and the person portrayed can be felt. On 1 September 1939, the Tūbelis family was shocked to hear that war had broken out in Europe. Tūbelis died a month later, on 30 September. Lithuanian Art Fund also holds a portrait of his wife, Ms Jadvyga Chodakauskaitė-Tūbelienė.
Portrait of Jadvyga Tūbelienė (1936) by Justinas VienožinskisLithuanian Art Fund
Portrait of Jadvyga Tūbelienė, wife of Prime Minister Juozas Tūbelis.
General Mykolas Velykis (1942) by Kazys VarnelisLithuanian Art Fund
Lieutenant General Velykis, builder of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and Minister of Defence in the First and Second cabinets, is portrayed standing at the window through which the view opens to the towers of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Kaunas. He is depicted without a military uniform.
Velykis taught at the High Officers’ Courses and the Military School. He wrote for publications such as Kariūnas and Lietuvos Žinios, and was the chairman of the Economic Enterprise of Soldiers. In 1939, Velykis established a liqueur production factory and represented the 'Vikers' company in Lithuania.
Portrait of a brother (1943) by Ada Peldavičiūtė-MontvydienėLithuanian Art Fund
Ada Peldavičiūtė-Montvydienė (1911–1967) graduate of Florence Art Academy is a master of elongated and elegant shapes of human figures, which are unusual in Lithuanian painting. Her pictures recall Italian and German versions of interwar Neo-Classicism. While looking at the portret of her brother one may strongly feel that the painting holds a very energetic spirit.
Portrait of sister Johanna (before 1975) by Ludomir SleńdzińskiLithuanian Art Fund
In Portrait of sister Johanna Ludomir Sleńdziński combined the principles of Italian Renaissance painting with post-cubist stylization. He painted multi-figurative compositions and portraits, figures of classical antiquity and mythological characters. In his paintings, he sometimes used relief elements and created polychromatic wood reliefs.
Antanas Smetona (1920/1940) by Juozas ZikarasLithuanian Art Fund
Being one of the greatest masters of portrait Juozas Zikaras (1881-1944) created a whole gallery of images of Lithuania’s prominent people. Here you see the the first President of Lithuania - Antanas Smetona.
Portrait is an imitation. It may be described as artist's view at the sitter transposed to canvas, yet it is also a reflection of real or imaginary character whose vibrant spirit captures all the attention and may be interpreted based on inner principles and wisdom in each of us.
