Flowers and fruit

The personal style of Adomas Galdikas (1893–1969) changed several times in his life. In his early painting, he came under the strong influence of Russian Modernism, expressed by formal features and an indulgence in exotica and theatricality. In his still-lifes, he often painted toys and dolls, substitutes for people and animals in the world of objects. He arranged objects like a theatre director, creating tension, mystery and emotional connections. The term ‘posing nature’ fits his stilllifes very well, especially as, even in terms of form, the composition recalls a stage, with a foreground and a background, and wings. This aspect is characteristic of this picture too. It depicts a vase with flowers, fruit and ring-shaped rolls, traditional symbols of abundance. Indeed, some objects are so stylised that it is difficult at first to recognise them. As in many of his other early works, in this one too the artist tried to flatten the image, and experimented with whitener.

Text author Giedrė Jankevičiūtė

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album OBJECTS ON SHOW (2017). Compiler and author Giedrė Jankevičiūtė

The personal style of Adomas Galdikas (1893–1969) changed several times in his life. In his early painting, he came under the strong influence of Russian Modernism, expressed by formal features and an indulgence in exotica and theatricality. In his still-lifes, he often painted toys and dolls, substitutes for people and animals in the world of objects. He arranged objects like a theatre director, creating tension, mystery and emotional connections. The term ‘posing nature’ fits his stilllifes very well, especially as, even in terms of form, the composition recalls a stage, with a foreground and a background, and wings. This aspect is characteristic of this picture too. It depicts a vase with flowers, fruit and ring-shaped rolls, traditional symbols of abundance. Indeed, some objects are so stylised that it is difficult at first to recognise them. As in many of his other early works, in this one too the artist tried to flatten the image, and experimented with whitener.

Text author Giedrė Jankevičiūtė

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album OBJECTS ON SHOW (2017). Compiler and author Giedrė Jankevičiūtė