Artwork in the room
Viktoras Šatunovas was born in 1952 in Vilnius, Lithuania. His artistic path began early, as he graduated from the Vienožinskis Art School in Vilnius in 1967, establishing a solid groundwork for his later work in the arts. In 1975, he completed his education at the Belarusian Academy of Arts in Minsk, where he majored in painting and graphic arts.
Šatunovas continued to refine his mastery at the Leningrad Academy of Arts, where he immersed himself in various printmaking methods such as lithography, etching, block printing, and linen engraving. His involvement with professional organizations started in 1978 when he became a member of the USSR Artists’ Union, and after Lithuania gained independence, he joined the Lithuanian Artists' Association in 1991.
During his artistic career, Šatunovas has engaged with a wide array of forms, producing posters and paintings in addition to illustrating books. From 1990 onward, his creative activity expanded to include writing children’s books as well as illustrating them, marking him as a prominent figure in book art. His accomplishments in book graphics have earned him numerous diplomas at international exhibitions and competitions.
Viktoras Šatunovas has illustrated over 150 books, with more than 20 million copies published in Russia, the United States, South Africa, Japan, Lithuania, and other countries. His paintings are part of private collections in nations such as Russia, the United States, Israel, Germany, Sweden, and Lithuania, demonstrating his extensive international reach and impact in the art community.
About this artwork+
The artwork presents an ethereal landscape of towering rock formations that evoke a serene and ancient atmosphere. The rocks are intricately textured, with layers and striations in shades of gray, white, and subtle green, mimicking the natural erosion of stone. The play of color suggests different minerals embedded within the rock, and hints of moss or lichens add to the impression of age and weathering. Between the jagged peaks, shadowy crevices and softer, mist-like patches generate a sense of depth and mystery, inviting the viewer to look closer and discover the minute details and gentle color shifts that suggest the passage of time and the resilience of nature. In the art's composition, the vertical lines dominate, drawing the eye upward, as if climbing the rocks themselves. This verticality is interrupted by occasional horizontal elements that suggest ledges or breaks in the rock face, providing a visual respite and emphasizing the towering height of the formations. The overall effect is one of majestic stillness and a timeless connection to the natural world, rendered with a careful balance of realism and idealized beauty. The subtle inclusion of a tiger, almost camouflaged within the lower right of the composition, adds a dynamic element and a sense of life persisting in a seemingly inhospitable environment. This figure enhances the painting's aura of a wild and untouched world.
