The Church of St Raphael the Archangel in Šnipiškės
Author: |
Jerzy Hoppen (1891–1969) |
Created: | 1924 |
Material: | paper |
Technique: | etching |
Dimensions: | 13.50 × 17.50 cm |
Signature: | inscription: Kościół Sw. Rafała na Śnipiszkach w Wilnie założony RP 1703 – / J.Hoppen fec.et fc AD 1924 / JHoppen |
Series ‘Old Vilnius’, 1924, fascicle I.
His etchings of ‘Old Vilnius’ brought Hoppen fame; fascicles were acquired by the British Museum in London, the National Library in Paris, the Cabinet of Engravings in Berlin, the National Library of Poland in Warsaw, and a museum in Prague. They won a prize at the Salon of the Society of Polish Graphic Artists in Warsaw in 1928, and in 1929 they won a silver medal at the Polish General Exhibition in Poznań. Hoppen was a self-taught etcher, he experimented with copper engravings, combined etching and soft lacquer techniques, and perfected a technique of using distinctive cracked and rough lines. The series ‘Old Vilnius’ recalls the work of the Old Masters, their composition, style, and figures of people from past eras, and uses elements of Baroque decoration, such as cartouches and putti. After the Second World War, Hoppen left for Poland, and lived in Toruń. During the period 1947 to 1961, he headed the newly established Graphic Arts Division of Toruń University.
Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album VILNIUS. TOPOPHILIA II (2015). Compiler and author Laima Laučkaitė
Expositions: “Vilnius. Topophilia. Views of Vilnius from the collection of the law firm Ellex Valiunas”, 5 October – 26 November 2017, National Gallery of Art, Vilnius (curator Laima Laučkaitė). ‘Vilnius Forever. A Dialogue of Artworks and Guides to the City’, 25 May 2022 – 30 April 2023 Lithuanian Art Centre TARTLE (Užupio St. 40, Vilnius). Curator Laima Laučkaitė.