The main collection of the artist’s works is presented in a renewed permanent exhibition in the gallery of LNDM Pranas Domšaitis in Klaipėda. Exhibition “Pranas Domšaitis (1880–1965)” at LNDM National Art Gallery in Vilnius. Her/His figure” visitors will be able to visit until 2025. February 16
At the same time, the gallery will exhibit world-famous 20th-century works. “David Goldblatt: (In)visible Structures” exhibition of the work of David Goldblatt (1930-2018), photographer of the second half, master of social documentary. These artists are connected by creative activities in the Republic of South Africa.
A foreigner without a homeland
The creative legacy of P. Domšaitis meanders along the routes of East Prussia, Germany, Austria, and finally – South Africa. The artist not only recorded the landscapes of the geographical areas where he stayed for a short or long time, but, being a true nomad, sketched the landscapes where his curiosity led him. Most of them were countries crossing the borders of the European continent – Tunisia, Somalia, the Bosphorus Strait, Turkey, etc.
In the exhibition “Pranas Domšaitis (1880–1965). Her/His figure” intertwines two genres of classical painting – portrait and landscape. By choosing the works of these genres, the curator of the exhibition, A.Trakšelytė, suggests discovering the color nuances characteristic of different geographical landscapes and the ethnography of the portrayed images, mostly of women.
“From a modern post-colonial point of view, it is a look at another culture and man, his identity, that requires critical reflection, but in the face of the challenges of climate change, the landscapes of natural nature undoubtedly inspire admiration. In addition, questions of identity also arise when trying to characterize Domšaitis himself – a foreigner without a homeland (German Homeless foreigners) – a portrait”, says the curator.
LNDM photo/Pranas Domšaitis. Austrian landscape, 1930-1932
Connection with Lithuania
Although he grew up and matured in a German environment, P. Domšaitis actively declared his Lithuanian origin and in 1920 he was granted a passport of the Republic of Lithuania, and around 1938 began to sign his works with the Lithuanian surname – “Domsaitis”.
Having met expatriate Lithuanian artists in post-war Austria, he participated for the first time as a Lithuanian artist in international exhibitions of the works of war refugees. The relations established here with the emigrants did not break throughout their lives – they communicated through letters, participated in exhibitions organized by them in the USA and Canada.
LNDM photo/Pranas Domšaitis. Woman with child, 1924
in 1949 Mr. Domšaitis and his wife Adelheida Armhold went to the Republic of South Africa. After settling in Cape Town, he immersed himself in creativity and quickly joined the local cultural life: he organized personal exhibitions, in 1963 represented the country at the prestigious São Paulo Biennale.
Creative legacy
P. Domšaitis’s name was always mentioned among art celebrities in Europe, especially in Germany, before the Second World War, and after it in the Republic of South Africa, his work is inseparable from the history of modern art. in 1964 for his artistic achievements he was awarded one of South Africa’s most prestigious awards, “Famous and Promising Artists” (Artistis of Fame and Promise).
LNDM photo/Pranas Domšaitis. Rome, 1925
It is not known exactly how many works P. Domšaitis created – some of them have been lost, others are kept in museums and private collections in Germany, Austria, Canada, South Africa and elsewhere. The largest collection donated by the Lithuanian Foundation operating in the USA – 665 works – is stored in the Lithuanian National Museum of Art and presented in the permanent exhibition “Always on the Road” of the LNDM Pranas Domšaitis Gallery.
LNDM photo/Pranas Domšaitis. Standing woman, 1910
A talking artist in comics
In November, the LNDM Pranas Domšaitis gallery will present an exclusive publication created together with Migle Anušauskaita – the comic “More than meets the eye: a comic about Pranas Domšaitis and art currents” at an exhibition in Vilnius.
The comic book not only tells the story of P. Domšaitis’s life, but also introduces the art currents under the influence of which the artist’s work spread.
LNDM photo/Pranas Domšaitis. Three Dancers, 1956-1957
The publication for high school students and adults will help answer why the artist’s works were included in the “Degenerate Art” exhibitions organized by the Nazis, what European modernism learned from African art, etc.
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His artistic journey.” This publication aims to blend art, history, and storytelling, offering a unique insight into Domšaitis’s life and works through a modern medium.
The comic will showcase significant moments from his life, from his early years in Lithuania, through his time in Germany and Austria, to his eventual settlement in South Africa. It will highlight not only his artistic achievements but also his deep connection to Lithuanian culture and identity, portraying his struggles and triumphs as an expatriate artist.
By utilizing the visual language of comics, the publication seeks to engage a broader audience and inspire a new generation of art enthusiasts to explore the works of Pranas Domšaitis. It will serve as both an informative resource and a testament to his enduring legacy within the world of modern art.
The release event will include an exhibition of selected works by Domšaitis, alongside discussions about the comic’s creation and insights about his impact on both Lithuanian and global art scenes. The gallery invites visitors to immerse themselves in the world of Pranas Domšaitis and to appreciate the rich narrative woven into his artworks, much like the stories told in comics.
This initiative not only celebrates Domšaitis’s contributions to art but also reinforces the importance of preserving cultural identities through creative expressions in contemporary formats.
