Dawn

Kazimierz Stabrowski (1869–1929) portrayed his sculptress wife Julia Janiszewska (1869–1941) in this picture. The artist perceived his model as a mythological creature, and gave her the romantic name of Dawn, thus expressing his tenderness for her. This is little wonder, as the picture was painted in 1902, the year Stabrowski and Janiszewska were married. The young groom saw his bride like a goddess, like a primeval being who had descended into the world of man. The young woman’s body, frozen against a blue background in the position of a dancer, and tinged pink by the morning glow, although it is portrayed very realistically, seems to be emerging out of a dream. The impression of unreality is increased by the light, which is characteristic of paintings of the late 19th century and the early 20th century. At that time, artists took a great interest in reproducing light, and put much effort into the theoretical and practical study of it.

Text author Giedrė Jankevičiūtė

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album MORE THAN JUST BEAUTY (2012). Compiler and author Giedrė Jankevičiūtė, RES PUBLICA (2018). Compiler and author Rūta Janonienė
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; “Kazimieras Stabrauskas – M. K. Čiurlionis teacher”, 24 September – 6 January 2015, National M. K. Čiurlionis Art Museum, Kaunas; "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.

Kazimierz Stabrowski (1869–1929) portrayed his sculptress wife Julia Janiszewska (1869–1941) in this picture. The artist perceived his model as a mythological creature, and gave her the romantic name of Dawn, thus expressing his tenderness for her. This is little wonder, as the picture was painted in 1902, the year Stabrowski and Janiszewska were married. The young groom saw his bride like a goddess, like a primeval being who had descended into the world of man. The young woman’s body, frozen against a blue background in the position of a dancer, and tinged pink by the morning glow, although it is portrayed very realistically, seems to be emerging out of a dream. The impression of unreality is increased by the light, which is characteristic of paintings of the late 19th century and the early 20th century. At that time, artists took a great interest in reproducing light, and put much effort into the theoretical and practical study of it.

Text author Giedrė Jankevičiūtė

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album MORE THAN JUST BEAUTY (2012). Compiler and author Giedrė Jankevičiūtė, RES PUBLICA (2018). Compiler and author Rūta Janonienė
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; “Kazimieras Stabrauskas – M. K. Čiurlionis teacher”, 24 September – 6 January 2015, National M. K. Čiurlionis Art Museum, Kaunas; "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.