The Students of the Kaunas School of Art – Creators of the Visual Narrative of Lithuanian History

Acta Academiae Artium Vilnensis

Abstract

The article aims to explore how students at the Kaunas School of Art contributed to the visual field of the newly constructed narrative of Lithuanian history during the interwar period of the Republic of Lithuania (1918–1940). It delves into the premise that in the given period, the students of this school produced remarkable artworks in the historical genre, characterised by their original thematic and artistic expression. The research focuses on a thorough examination of iconographic materials, archival documents, and contemporary press sources.

The findings of the research reveal a broad and diverse panorama of Lithuanian historical imagery crafted by the students of the Kaunas School of Art. Despite the historical genre not being integrated into the teaching process and emphasized in the curriculum, the graduates applied their acquired professional skills to explore historical topics, discovering new narratives and new iconographic schemes, and trying to experiment in this genre and infuse it with the creative principles of modernism of Adomas Galdikas’s personality, along with his invaluable advice and encouragement, became increasingly evident.

In evaluating the thematic choices of young artists, it becomes obvious that they closely align with the narrative of Lithuanian statehood constructed by the political elite, which places significant emphasis on figures like Vytautas the Great, regarded as the uncrowned king of Lithuania, and the historical period of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania up until his demise. This narrative extends to include the struggles for Lithuanian independence (1918–1920), events that remained vivid in the artists’ collective memory and were often depicted in their artworks.

Kazys Varnelis’s monumental painting compositions, which combine elements of constructivism and art deco, stand out as prime examples of renewal. In the field of graphics, Paulius Augius-Augustinavičius’s work shines with a vibrant expressionistic approach. Petras Tarabilda’s graphics, while somewhat more restrained, exhibit a diverse range infused with elements drawn from secession and art deco styles.

Stasys Ušinskas and Adomas Galdikas were pivotal mentors who encouraged young creators to break free from the constraints of conservative realism or pseudo-academicism. While the influence of Stasys Ušinskas seemed obvious, the impact of Adomas Galdikas, who led the graphics studio and nurtured a cohort of interesting artists, gradually permeated the entire institution. Through the exploration of new works, reviewing of biographies, and analysis of the legacy of each generation, the significance.