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+
In the painting "Purple Sunset" by Vidmantas Jažauskas, a vibrant and atmospheric scene unfolds beneath a luminous, oversized moon that casts a mystical glow over a dense forest. Rich, fiery hues of red and orange dominate the foliage, suggesting the warmth of autumn. Slender tree trunks, painted in strong vertical strokes of deep blue, pierce the sky, contrasting sharply with the intense colors of the leaves. A small, airy tree with lighter, perhaps blossoming branches, leans into the scene at the left, adding a touch of delicacy to the otherwise bold landscape. The ground is dappled with reflective spots of light, mirroring the fiery tones above, while a hint of a blue and purple pathway or stream offers a cool counterpoint that slices through the warm spectrum. The entire setting is enveloped in a tranquil, almost surreal aura, enhanced by the soft diffusion of light and color.
