Photographs of Live Model Classes at the Kaunas School of Art, 1922–1939
Acta Academiae Artium Vilnensis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37522/aaav.112.2024.199Keywords:
Kaunas School of Art, live model, photographs, female students at the art school, sittersAbstract
Referring to foreign historiography, the narrative of the live model emerges as one of the main aspects when exploring the evolution of professional art, particularly in terms of female involvement. The separation from drawing lessons featuring live models delineated a distinct path for women in the art profession. However, Lithuanian historiography has predominantly focused on studies of individual female artists, overlooking the shared narrative of the model’s profession and live model classes in both local and international contexts.
The analysis of 22 photographs depicting live model classes at the Kaunas School of Art, as discussed in this article, illuminates the presence of the live model storyline, the dynamics within the space, and the interactions among participants: students, teachers, and models. It was noted that the challenges faced by models at the Kaunas School of Art sometimes align with, and at other times significantly diverge from, Western practices. This suggests that the narrative of the model, underscored as a pivotal factor in the emergence and advancement of professional art, could serve as one of the crucial aspects for contextualizing the Kaunas School of Art within the broader scope of international art history. Additionally, the absence of gender segregation at the Kaunas School of Art, in contrast to the prevalent practice in the major Western and Eastern art education institutions, further underscores its significance in the field.