7 Sleeping Brothers

Audrius Liaudanskas’ (b. 1959) sculptures often have allegorical themes, blending anthropomorphic and zoomorphic motifs. The ‘Silver Crane’ series of statuettes, awarded to Lithuanian filmmakers since 2013, is one of his most renowned works. Religious motifs frequently feature in the sculptor’s works, bearing the unmistakable influence of Medieval religious sculpture. Valuing craftsmanship in art above all, Liaudanskas strives for the highest level of technical precision in his work. The sculpture 7 Sleeping Brothers draws its inspiration from a Lithuanian folk custom, practised on 10 July, known as the day of the Seven Sleeping Brothers, to forecast the weather for the rest of the summer. Legend has it that seven brothers, who were believed to bear the seven signs of Christ and to have the power to determine the summer’s weather, built a shrine in Kiev, before falling into a deep slumber. Another tale recounts the martyrdom for their Christian faith of seven brothers and their mother in the second century. Liaudanskas’ rendition of the seven brothers features elongated proportions, bearded faces, and a unified block-like composition, but each figure appears to be engaged in a lively conversation. The gestures and the long tunics evoke the solemnity of Gothic sacred sculpture. Three casts were made of this sculpture.

Text author Jurgita Ludavičienė

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album THE ART OF MATERIALS. Compiler and text author Jurgita Ludavičienė
© LATGA, Vilnius 2025

Audrius Liaudanskas’ (b. 1959) sculptures often have allegorical themes, blending anthropomorphic and zoomorphic motifs. The ‘Silver Crane’ series of statuettes, awarded to Lithuanian filmmakers since 2013, is one of his most renowned works. Religious motifs frequently feature in the sculptor’s works, bearing the unmistakable influence of Medieval religious sculpture. Valuing craftsmanship in art above all, Liaudanskas strives for the highest level of technical precision in his work. The sculpture 7 Sleeping Brothers draws its inspiration from a Lithuanian folk custom, practised on 10 July, known as the day of the Seven Sleeping Brothers, to forecast the weather for the rest of the summer. Legend has it that seven brothers, who were believed to bear the seven signs of Christ and to have the power to determine the summer’s weather, built a shrine in Kiev, before falling into a deep slumber. Another tale recounts the martyrdom for their Christian faith of seven brothers and their mother in the second century. Liaudanskas’ rendition of the seven brothers features elongated proportions, bearded faces, and a unified block-like composition, but each figure appears to be engaged in a lively conversation. The gestures and the long tunics evoke the solemnity of Gothic sacred sculpture. Three casts were made of this sculpture.

Text author Jurgita Ludavičienė

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album THE ART OF MATERIALS. Compiler and text author Jurgita Ludavičienė
© LATGA, Vilnius 2025