Address: Didžioji str. 4, LT-01128, Vilnius, Lithuania. Tel./fax (+370 5) 212 08 41; (+370 5) 212 42 58. E-mail: galerija[at]ldm.lt  VACLOVAS KOSCIUŠKA – THE 20TH CENTURY ROMANTIC (1911–1984) 5 April – 2 June, 2010   Vaclovas Kosciuška. Autoportret. Oil. 45 x 39.5. Property of Audronė Kosciuškienė Kosciuška was born and lived in an era in which idealistic reverence for high concepts of Nation and Motherland fought fiercely with the reality that destroyed plenty of nations and their motherlands. Despite all the hardships that fate sent to him, Kosciuška always considered Vilnius the most beautiful city in the world, and Lithuania – the most interesting and beloved country. Care for Lithuania‘s survival, for preservation and fostering of Lithuanian mentality strongly allied Kosciuška to the culture shaped by Romantic views and the tradition of realistic expression which allowed reflecting in a generally accessible form many important allegoric images together with the reality that to the artist‘s countrymen was as dear, as meaningful and as valuable as the symbol itself. Kosciuška had and still has quite a wide audience because he painted things that were and still are beautiful to the eyes of the Lithuania-lover. In his landscapes we found sunny fields, lush summer grass in the meadows, clear rivers and brooks with woody banks, wooden farmers cottages, cosy courtyards of Vilnius Žvėrynas‘ district, fluffy white clouds flying in the blue sky, colourful variety of autumn leaves, narrow winding streets of the Vilnius Old Town and orderly heaps of wheat in the fields at the end of summer. In the grey Soviet years vivid colours of Kosciuska‘s still lifes resembled attractive and slightly eccentric attempts to open up a window into the legendary world, full of water nymphs, devils, antropomorphic fogs and clouds, angel girls. Kosciuška had painted several works that are worth to belong in a museum. But the whole creative heritage of the author can not be measured only by criteria of painting. Kosciuška did not lack skills and master‘s touch and he applied them in various spheres of artistic expression. He vas a true universalist: worked in painting, graphic, press design, applied arts, medal making; his name is mentioned whenever one speaks about the history of modern photography in Lithuania. Kosciuška also left his imprint in the sphere of religious art which was generally avoided by the great masters of 20th century Lithuanian art. According to the artist‘s old friend Boleslovas Motuza (cf his memories published in the catalogue), Kosciuška had not created any masterpieces. But he left behind a legend of patriotically minded Vilnius citizen and free bohemian, also his works, which become ever more important part of the artistic heritage of Lithuania of the mid-20th century, represent its variety and some less explored aspects. The anniversary exhibition of artistic heritage, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Kosciuška, is the first presentation of the artist on such a wide scale. Exhibition contains Kosciuška‘s works from private collections and state collections (Lithuanian Museum of Art, Lithuanian National Museum, National M. K. Čiurlionis Art Museum, Vytautas the Great War Museum, Maironis‘ Museum of Lithuanian Literature, Martynas Mažvydas‘ National Library). The exhibition was initiated by Vilniečių ainių klubas (Vilnius citizens Descendants club), especially by its members Jūratė Burokaitė and Birutė Biekšienė, and Lithuanian Art Museum; curated by art historian Giedrė Jankevičiūtė and curator of painting depratment of LAM Rima Rutkauskienė. The creators of the exhibition express their heartfelt thanks to all who took part in the preparations, and especially to the artist‘s daughter Aurelija Kosciuškaitė-Petkevičienė.