Artwork in the room
Born in 1961, Vidmantas Jažauskas is a Lithuanian artist who graduated from the Vilnius Academy of Arts. Throughout his artistic career, he has shown unwavering dedication to the fundamental principles of painting, which he continually examines and hones within his practice. Despite his talent and achievements, Jažauskas intentionally avoids public attention, shunning exhibitions and refraining from self-promotion. This preference for solitude provides him with the space to concentrate on the inner warmth and emotional layers that characterize his art.
Vidmantas Jažauskas’s paintings are noted for their classical sensibility, yet they are anything but conventional. He sees ongoing promise in the traditional approach to painting and reveals this through his distinctive manipulation of color and form. Instead of fixating on minute details, Jažauskas prioritizes the overall impression of a scene, presenting it as though observed from afar with a gentle gaze. This vantage point allows viewers to perceive his works as unified wholes that radiate emotion and ambiance.
For inspiration, the artist primarily turns to Lithuanian landscapes and urban vistas. Scenes from nature and city life recur throughout his oeuvre, as Jažauskas is drawn to portray the shifting seasons and the unique spirit of local places. In the summer, he joins plein-air painting sessions, immersing himself in the outdoors to capture nature’s brief beauty directly on canvas. Oppositely, winter finds him in the city, where the streets of Kaunas and Vilnius frequently provide subject matter for his paintings.
Of all the locations he portrays, Vidmantas Jažauskas feels a particular fondness for Užupis, a romantic neighborhood in Vilnius celebrated for its creative community and bohemian mood. This affection is apparent in numerous cityscapes, where the distinctive aura and vibrancy of Užupis emerge through his skillful use of vivid colors, contrasted shades, and dynamic compositions. By means of his artwork, Jažauskas affirms that classical traditions still offer resonance and expressive richness for audiences today.
About this artwork+
The painting depicts a pastoral scene on a warm, sunny day. In the foreground, there are two rustic buildings, possibly barns or farmhouses. The building on the left is detailed with a weathered wooden façade and a roof that appears to be made of metal, showing signs of rust and wear. The right building is less detailed, bathed in light, with a roof that gleams under the sun's rays, painted in shades of grey and white. Between and around these buildings, lush green vegetation and trees are plentiful, adding to the sense of a thriving, vibrant landscape. The background hints at more structures, possibly part of a rural village, under a vast, bright sky. The sky, a canvas of blue with gentle strokes of white, suggests a clear, hot day. Dashes of red on the roofs add a vivid contrast to the mostly green, brown, and blue hues, drawing the eye and enhancing the painting's lively, warm feel. The overall atmosphere is peaceful and serene, typical of a quiet day in the countryside.
