Madonna and child

A timeless scene, with a mother and a nurse holding a bowl of water and a jug, is surrounded by strange observers with eyes in their foreheads and with folded paper hats on their heads. The women definitely have the features of Antanas Martinaitis’ (1939–1986) wife Adelija, while the figures of goblins, clowns and sorcerers emerging from the thickness of the brush strokes recall slightly the stance of the artist himself. The painter’s warning about evil lurking alongside goodness prevents us from being overpowered by elevated feelings at the sight of the cherished baby, sublimated to the level of a symbol, while enjoying the harmony of the rich colours woven from almost palpable brush strokes.

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album MORE THAN JUST BEAUTY (2012). Compiler and author Giedrė Jankevičiūtė
Expositions: “More Than Just Beauty: The Image of Woman in the LAWIN collection”, 12 October – 11 November 2012, National Gallery of Art, Vilnius. Curator Giedrė Jankevičiūtė; "A Glance at the History of Lithuanian Art from Užupis", 30 August 2018 – 1 June 2019, Lithuanian Art Centre TARTLE (Užupio St. 40, Vilnius). Curator Giedrė Jankevičiūtė.

A timeless scene, with a mother and a nurse holding a bowl of water and a jug, is surrounded by strange observers with eyes in their foreheads and with folded paper hats on their heads. The women definitely have the features of Antanas Martinaitis’ (1939–1986) wife Adelija, while the figures of goblins, clowns and sorcerers emerging from the thickness of the brush strokes recall slightly the stance of the artist himself. The painter’s warning about evil lurking alongside goodness prevents us from being overpowered by elevated feelings at the sight of the cherished baby, sublimated to the level of a symbol, while enjoying the harmony of the rich colours woven from almost palpable brush strokes.

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album MORE THAN JUST BEAUTY (2012). Compiler and author Giedrė Jankevičiūtė
Expositions: “More Than Just Beauty: The Image of Woman in the LAWIN collection”, 12 October – 11 November 2012, National Gallery of Art, Vilnius. Curator Giedrė Jankevičiūtė; "A Glance at the History of Lithuanian Art from Užupis", 30 August 2018 – 1 June 2019, Lithuanian Art Centre TARTLE (Užupio St. 40, Vilnius). Curator Giedrė Jankevičiūtė.