The Work of Vaclovas Miknevičius in the Fields of Industrial and Architectural Ceramics

Acta Academiae Artium Vilnensis

Abstract

Vaclovas Miknevičius (1910–1989) is known as one of the first professional Lithuanian ceramicists, an active and productive artist who experimented in various fields of ceramics. Even though the artist created many unique exhibition artworks, his artistic career was mostly centred around creating serial production standards and manufacturing monumental ceramic objects. He also contributed to the development of Lithuanian ceramic industry and the improvement of technological production processes.

Miknevičius’s work has also been chosen as a subject of this research because it well reflects the essential changes in industrial and architectural Lithuanian ceramics in the middle and second half of the 20th century. His work had numerous features that characterize the stylistic evolution during the aforementioned period. It included elements of art deco, folk art, and constructive design, which were apparent in his industrial ceramic forms and décor (standard dishes, sets of tableware). Moreover, his search for the means of expression and décor was directed to monumental architectural ceramics. During the interwar period Miknevičius made a significant contribution to the development of Lithuanian ceramic production, establishing new ceramic workshops and later working in Kaunas Dailė art production factory. The article explores the creative aspects of Miknevičius’s work in more detail: the artist’s contribution to industrial ceramics, his unique technological experiments, monumental art pieces and preparatory work. To conclude, Miknevičius was one of the most influential Lithuanian ceramic artists of his time, and his works remain relevant until nowadays.