Expositions

Address: Arsenalo Str. 3A, LT-01100, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Sacral Folk Art of Lithuania (17^th–20^th  century)

Christianity has come to be dominating factor in the spiritual life of the Lithuanian nation. Integrated into the ethos lifestyle of Lithuanian nation Christian culture with the diversity of its forms was shaping parameters of nation’s existence. Lithuanian folk art – sculpture, painting and printing – was under the heavy impact of the European Christian tradition fostered in churches and monasteries. The start and development of Lithuanian folk art covers the period from 17^th century to the 1^st half of the 19^th century.

Memorial markers are significant part of the cultural heritage of rural Lithuania. These are wooden shrines, crosses, pillar-type crosses and pillar-type chapels locate nearly homesteads, in cemeteries, on waysides and in fields. Pillar-type crosses and wooden shrines were more popular in Samogitia while in Aukstaitija tall pillar-type crosses were more common.

The present exhibition displays a typical pillar-type cross artistically wood – carved in geometric patterns and decorated with figures oh saints. It dates back to 1842 and was originally located in Zarasai vicinity. In the 2th half of the 19^th century Vincas Svirskis folk wood carver (1835–1916) was known for this gigantic oak cross. Vincas Svirskis has carved over 250 memorial markers located in vienities of Kedainiai, Surviliskiai, Krakiai, Truskava.

Lithuanian art Museum houses 20 of his carved crosses. Vincas Svirskis was an exceptionally gifted craftsman displaying a vivid impact of the Baroque style. His complex low relief pieces, such as The Last Supper, St Isidor, Baptism of Christ, Pieta reflect the impact of the Baroque style dominant in folk art of the period.

Wooden folk sculpture the most unique and stylistically rich offspring of Lithuanian folk art. The characteristic iconographic motives of folk wooden sculpture cover the lives of the Virgin, Christ and Christian saints. The most common motives are: The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, The Virgin of Sorrows (Mater Dolorosa), Christ of Nazareth, the Pensive Christ and some others. St George slaying the dragon in the most popular iconographic motive exploited in numerous wooden sculptural pieces. St. George is portrayed as a warier on a horseback slaying a dragon. The figure of St George is the metaphor of Christianity promoter, guardian of cattle and protector from the evil. The figure of St Florian, often carved with a pile in his hand, protect the homestead of farmer from fire. Often wooden shrines with figures of St John of Nepomucen  St John the Baptist were located nearby water sources.

Wooden figures of saints were carved by Dievdirbiai or god-carvers were uneducated folk craftsmen. Carved out of linden wood, occasionally oak, with the help of basic tools, the figures of saint were afterwards treated by polychromic techniques. Alongside with three dimensional sculptures lo-relief and high-relief were also cultivated. Lithuanian wooden sculpture is characterized by simplistic generalized forms, volume balance, contrasting arrangement of colors psychological and emotional qualities.

Primitive paintings by unknown artists would decorate the altars of rural churches, of portable church altars, processional banners, dwellings and barns of farmers. The 14 Stations of the Cross is the most common iconographic theme exploited while decorating church interiors wooden shrines located in churchyards or in fields. The Stations of the Cross of Paskarbiskiai Church (Silale region) dating back to the middle of the 19^th century is characterized by primitive drawing technique, contrasting colors, psychological expressiveness. The most ancient paintings on wood board by unknown artist date back to 19^th century. On mention is the altar antependium triptych and four paintings of altar wings.

The 19^th century saw the spread of wooden carving, an abundance of which is located in the West of Lithuania, Salantai, Darbenai, Kretinga, Varniai. Steponas Kuneika was a famous folk work wood carver who cultivated the popular interpretation of the Barogue art tradition in his Lamentation over Christ. Aleksandras Vinkus (1832–1912) from Darbenai was known for his colorful wood carvings of primitive stylistic expression, monumental and decorative.