{"id":24513,"date":"2025-11-24T14:51:47","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T12:51:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lndm.devmerit.com\/vilniaus-paveikslu-galerija\/parodos\/one-painting-exhibition-wincenty-slendzinski-1838-1909-priestess\/"},"modified":"2025-11-24T14:51:47","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T12:51:47","slug":"one-painting-exhibition-wincenty-slendzinski-1838-1909-priestess","status":"publish","type":"paroda","link":"https:\/\/lndm.devmerit.com\/en\/vilnius-picture-gallery\/exhibitions\/one-painting-exhibition-wincenty-slendzinski-1838-1909-priestess\/","title":{"rendered":"One-painting Exhibition: Wincenty Sle\u0144dzi\u0144ski (1838\u20131909). Priestess"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>For the first time, a painting by one of the most distinguished Lithuanian artists of the late 19th\u2013early 20th century, Wincenty Sle\u0144dzi\u0144ski (1838\u20131909), is being presented to the Lithuanian public. Titled Priestess<\/em>, the work was painted in 1873.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Like many politically active artists of the time, Sle\u0144dzi\u0144ski was deeply affected by the turbulent events of 19th-century Lithuanian history. His connections to participants in the January Uprising (1863\u20131864) led to his conviction and exile. After nearly eight years of exile spent in Knyaginin and Kharkiv, he was released from police supervision and allowed to leave. From 1872, he lived and worked in Krak\u00f3w and Dresden. In 1875, however, he was forced to return to his place of exile, finally receiving permission to return to Lithuania in 1883. In Vilnius, he established a family and continued to paint until his death in 1909.<\/p>\n

Although Sle\u0144dzi\u0144ski was an exceptionally productive artist, his Dresden period (1873\u20131875) yielded relatively few works, and the fate of many of these remains unknown. Priestess <\/em>is a notable exception.<\/p>\n

In the second half of the 19th century, as Lithuania faced existential challenges, Romantic ideas that had emerged earlier in the century\u2014celebration of the nation\u2019s roots, culture, and past\u2014became particularly resonant and were frequently reflected in artists\u2019 work. Living in exile and longing for home, Sle\u0144dzi\u0144ski also turned in his art to the ancient Lithuanian world, imbued with the spirit and freedom of his native land. Priestess<\/em> is one of the earliest works in which the painter explored historical and mythological subjects.<\/p>\n

In 1873, the painting was purchased directly from the artist\u2019s studio by influential landowners and art patrons Count Mieczys\u0142aw (1833\u20131918) and Countess Maria (1837\u20131924) Kwilecki. An inscription on the reverse of the canvas records the noble owners and the Grodziec estate, which they had owned since 1875 and where the work came to reside. After the Second World War, the work passed to a priest of Grodziec parish\u2014whose name has been lost to history\u2014who was closely acquainted with the Kwileckis. Around 1972\u20131973, the painting changed hands again, acquired from the clergyman by Father Wojciech Krzywa\u0144ski, who served in W\u0142oc\u0142awek. Priestess<\/em> remained in his collection for more than five decades. During this time, the artist\u2019s son, Ludomir Sle\u0144dzi\u0144ski (1889\u20131980)\u2014who regarded Priestess<\/em> as his father\u2019s finest work\u2014twice attempted to acquire the painting, but both efforts were unsuccessful. Eventually, the canvas came into the hands of the current owners, Dominykas \u0160audys and Regina \u0160emiotait\u0117, who purchased the painting in 2025 and brought it back to Lithuania. Restoration technology specialist Rapolas Vedrickas conducted physical examinations of the painting, whilst the unique canvas and authentic frame regained their original lustre in the workshops of restorers Linas Luko\u0161evi\u010dius and Virginija Murmait\u0117, and were prepared to meet the exhibition visitors.<\/p>\n

We are delighted that after more than 150 years since its creation, this work\u2014which has travelled from hand to hand and is imbued with the spirit of Neo-Romanticism and Lithuanian identity\u2014can now be seen on display in Lithuania. This also serves as a fitting prelude to the retrospective of Wincenty Sle\u0144dzi\u0144ski\u2019s life and work, which will open its doors at the Vilnius Picture Gallery in 2026.<\/p>\n

Organizer LNMA Vilnius Picture Gallery<\/p>\n

Curators: Aist\u0117 Bimbiryt\u0117, Gabija Kasparavi\u010diut\u0117-Kaminskien\u0117, Joana Vitkut\u0117<\/p>\n

Architect Aust\u0117 Kulie\u0161i\u016bt\u0117-\u0160emet\u0117<\/p>\n

Designer\u00a0 Elena Ry\u0161kut\u0117-Pivori\u016bn\u0117<\/p>\n

Editor\u00a0 Ieva Puluikien\u0117<\/p>\n

Translator Raminta Bumbulyt\u0117<\/p>\n

Conservators: Linas Luko\u0161evi\u010dius, Virginija Murmait\u0117, Rapolas Vedrickas<\/p>\n

Partners: Dominykas \u0160audys, Regina \u0160emiotait\u0117<\/p>\n

Exhibition is financed by: Lithuanian National Museum of Art, Dominykas \u0160audys, Regina \u0160emiotait\u0117<\/p>\n

We wish to thank Father Wojciech Krzywa\u0144ski, Agnesa Seriogina, Dr Jolanta \u0160irkait\u0117<\/p>\n

\n